10/09/2023
GOUTY ARTHRITIS:-
This is a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain, redness and tenderness in a joint.
Pain and inflammation occurs when too much chemical called Uric acids crystalizes and deposits in joints. The most affected joint is the joint of the big toe.
This uric acid is known to be the result of the breakdown of chemical called Purine, which is sourced from certain foods and drinks.
Gouty arthritis, commonly called Gout can affect people of all ages. Symptoms can be very discomfort and can wake you up from your sleep more often.
CAUSES
Gout is believed to to occur when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, substances that are found naturally in your body.
Purines are also found in certain foods, including red meat and organ meats, such as liver. Purine-rich seafood includes anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout and tuna. Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) promote higher levels of uric acid.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes either your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needlelike urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling.
RISK FACTORS
You're more likely to develop gout if you have high levels of uric acid in your body. Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include:
1. DIET
Eating a diet rich in red meat and shellfish and drinking beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) increase levels of uric acid, which increase your risk of gout. Alcohol consumption, especially of beer, also increases the risk of gout.
Weight. If you're overweight, your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating uric acid.
2. MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
Certain diseases and conditions increase your risk of gout. These include untreated high blood pressure and chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart and kidney diseases.
Certain medications. Low-dose aspirin and some medications used to control hypertension including thiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta blockers also can increase uric acid levels. So can the use of anti-rejection drugs prescribed for people who have undergone an organ transplant.
3. FAMILY HISTORY OF GOUT:
If other members of your family have had gout, you're more likely to develop the disease.
4. AGE AND GENDER:
Gout occurs more often in men, primarily because women tend to have lower uric acid levels. After menopause, however, women's uric acid levels approach those of men. Men are also more likely to develop gout earlier usually between the ages of 30 and 50, whereas women generally develop signs and symptoms after menopause.
5. RECENT SURGERY OR TRAUMA:
Experiencing recent surgery or trauma can sometimes trigger a gout attack. In some people, receiving a vaccination can trigger a gout flare.
•SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of gout almost always occur suddenly, and often at night. They include:
🟢Intense joint pain. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can occur in any joint. Other commonly affected joints include the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers. The pain is likely to be most severe within the first four to 12 hours after it begins.
🟢Lingering discomfort. After the most severe pain subsides, some joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks. Later attacks are likely to last longer and affect more joints.
🟢Inflammation and redness. The affected joint or joints become swollen, tender, warm and red.
Limited range of motion. As gout progresses, you may not be able to move your joints normally.
🔸What tests will be done to diagnose gout?
Your healthcare provider might use a few imaging tests to take pictures of your affected joints. These tests can also show if gout has caused any changes in your joints. You might need:
🔹X-rays.
🔹Ultrasound.
🔹Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
🔹A CT (computed tomography) scan — specifically a dual-energy CT scan.
Other common tests to diagnose gout include:
🔹Blood tests to measure the uric acid in your blood.
🔹Joint aspiration — using a needle to remove a sample of fluid from inside a joint
🔵What physiotherapy will be used for gout?
There are a variety of physiotherapy options used to treat gout depending on your main symptoms and the stage of your condition.Physiotherapy include:
🔹Pain control
🔹Electrotherapy including megapulse and TENS
🔹Strengthening and range of movement exercises
🔹Cardiovascular activity
🔹Hydrotherapy
🔹Wax therapy
🔹Cryotherapy (cold therapy)
🔹Mobilisation techniques
🔹Home exercise programme.
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