gout attack relief
what is gout? gout is a kind of arthritis. it can cause an attack of sudden burning pain,stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually a big toe. these attacks can happen over and over unlessgout is treated. over time, they can harm your joints, tendons,and other tissues. gout is most common in men. what causes gout? gout is caused by too much uric acid in theblood.
most of the time, having too much uric acidisn't harmful. many people with high levels in their bloodnever get gout. but when uric acid levels in your blood aretoo high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints. your chances of getting gout are higher ifyou are overweight, drink too much alcohol, or eat too much meat and fish that are highin chemicals called purines. some medicines, such as water pills (diuretics),can also bring on gout. what are the symptoms of gout? the most common sign of gout is a nighttimeattack of swelling, tenderness, redness, and
sharp pain in your big toe . you can alsoget gout attacks in your foot, ankle, or knees, or other joints. the attacks can last a few days or many weeksbefore the pain goes away. another attack may not happen for months oryears. see your doctor even if your pain from goutis gone. the buildup of uric acid that led to yourgout attack can still harm your joints. how is gout diagnosed? your doctor will ask questions about yoursymptoms and do a physical exam. your doctor may also take a sample of fluidfrom your joint to look for uric acid crystals.
this is the best way to test for gout. your doctor may also do a blood test to measurethe amount of uric acid in your blood. how is gout treated? to stop a gout attack, your doctor can giveyou a shot of corticosteroids or prescribe a large daily dose of one or more medicines. the doses will get smaller as your symptomsgo away. relief from a gout attack often begins within24 hours if you start treatment right away. to ease the pain during a gout attack, restthe joint that hurts. taking ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatorymedicine can also help you feel better.
but don't take aspirin. it can make gout worse by raising the uricacid level in the blood.to prevent future attacks, your doctor can prescribe a medicineto reduce uric acid buildup in your blood. paying attention to what you eat may helpyou manage your gout. eat moderate amounts of a healthy mix of foodsto control your weight and get the nutrients you need. limit daily intake of meat, seafood, and alcohol(especially beer). drink plenty of water and other fluids. like and share this video on your social media.
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