What is Gout?

 A form of arthritis that is a painful

inflammation and swelling of the
joints caused by the buildup of
uric acid in the body.
 results from an overload of uric acid
in the body. This overload of uric acid
leads to the formation of tiny crystals
of urate that deposit in tissues of the
body, especially the joints.
 When crystals form in the joints it
causes recurring attacks of joint
inflammation (arthritis). Chronic gout
can also lead to deposits of hard lumps
of uric acid in and around the joints and
may cause joint destruction, decreased
kidney function, and kidney stones.
 It is often related to an inherited
abnormality in the body's ability
to process uric acid.
 Gout is nine times more common in
men than in women. It
predominantly attacks males after 
puberty, with a peak age of 75. In
women, gout attacks usually occur
after menopause.
Gout Symptoms
 The most common gout symptom:
 sudden, severe attacks of pain,
 Tenderness,
 redness,
 warmth and swelling in some
joints.
 It usually affects one joint at a time,
especially the joint of the big toe,
but can also affect the knee, ankle,
foot, hand, wrist and elbow.
 Deposits of uric acid, called tophi,
can appear as lumps under the skin
around the joints and at the rim of
the ear. Uric acid crystals can also
collect in the kidneys and cause
kidney stones.
 Risk Factors
 inherited abnormality in handling
uric acid
 Obesity/excessive weight gain
(especially in youth)
 moderate to heavy alcohol intake
 high blood pressure
 abnormal kidney function.
 Certain drugs, such as thiazide
diuretics,low-dose aspirin, niacin
, cyclosporine, tuberculosis medications
can elevated uric acid levels
 certain diseases that lead to excessive
production of uric acid in the body.
(leukemias, lymphomas,
and hemoglobindisorders.)
 Causes of Gout
 It results from deposits of needle-like
crystals of uric acid in the connective
tissue, joint spaces, or both. Normally
this is a byproduct of the breakdown
of purines or waste products in the
body. Normally uric acid breaks down
in the blood and is eliminated in urine.
 When the body increases its production
of uric acid or if the kidneys do not
eliminate enough of it from the body,
levels build up. This is called
hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is not a
disease and is not dangerous. However, if
excess uric acid crystals form as a result
of hyperuricemia, gout can develop.
Foods that Cause Gout
 beer and other alcoholic  meat extracts
beverages  Gravies
 Anchovies  Mushrooms
 sardines (in oil)  Spinach
 fish roes, herring  Asparagus
 Yeast  Cauliflower
 organ meats (e.g., liver,  poultry.
kidneys)
 legumes (e.g., dried beans,
peas, and soybeans)
Treatment