The human body secretes and uptakes different acids. Some acids are helpful and harmful if they cross the limit in the body. The highest secretion or presence of such acids can lead to the development of diseases in the human body. One of the diseases is Gout. 

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that gives symptoms of painful and inflamed body joints. It is not caused by any specific agent like microorganisms and is caused due to the accumulation of uric acid in the various joints in our body.

As we know, uric acid is one of the excretory or waste products of the human body. Sometimes, due to the metabolism of the person's body or the intake of a high quantity of substances containing uric acid develops into a condition called Gout.

It is mainly related to the joint area of the body. 

Generally, Glout is observed in people who consume more rice and wine in their daily diet. Its occurrence is more in men than women. However, Gout, i.e., painful or inflamed joints, can occur in any person irrespective of gender and age. 

Gout can also be caused if the person suffers from problems like high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. 

Causes for Gout: 

Gout is caused due to the accumulation of high amounts of uric acid in the body. Accumulation of uric acid can be due to several reasons. First, it may be due to the improper functioning of the kidneys, which is not excreting or clearing the uric acid from the body. 

The gradual gathering of uric acid can also be due to the heavy intake of foods containing purines since purines can be easily converted into uric acid. There are some examples of food products that have a high amount of purines include the following:

• Alcoholic drinks 
• The sugary drinks which are high in fructose amounts
• Some of the meats include game meats, kidneys, brain, and liver
• Some dried materials like dried beans and dried peas
• The list of sea foods like anchovies, scallops, mackerel, herring, and sardines.

Some other issues that people suffer can also lead to the development of Gout. Those symptoms include:

• Emotional stress
• Tiredness
• Obesity or fatigue
• High consumption of drinks and alcohol
• Illness
• Some surgeries

     The persons who get more susceptible to Gout are:

• Men are at high risk than women
• Postmenopausal women can get Gout easily
• If the person suffers from any kidney disease
• If the person is already suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels in the body
• If the person has diabetes
• If the members of the family have Gout

The above-described people can get easily affected by Gout, suffering a lot of pain and inflammation in the joints.

Symptoms of Gout: 

The symptoms of Gout vary from person to person, and it can occur in the body suddenly without any warnings. It affects the body abruptly, in which the severe condition may sometimes lead to deformity in the patient. 

Gout symptoms do not stop at one time. It occurs again and again, leading to Chronic Gout. Some of the common symptoms observed in Gout include the following:

• The joints get swollen
• Fever
• Chillness in the body
• Feeling tired or sick
• Warmth in the joint area is felt
• Skin gets tight, red or purple colored, shiny skin observed over the joints
• Accumulation of uric acid crystals as hard lumps found under the skin
• Severe or sudden pain in the joints area and around the joints

Some symptoms of Gout will be similar to other diseases too. And even, Gout can lead to the development of other chronic diseases.

How to diagnose Gout? 

If you are found with any of the symptoms discussed above, you can contact your health care provider or family doctor. A physical exam will be conducted, and the doctor will ask about your health history. 

If they cannot diagnose with a physical exam, the fluid sample from the joint area will be taken; arthrocentesis will be followed by checking the presence and amount of uric acid crystals in it.

Treatment of Gout:

The treatment of Gout varies with the symptoms, age, and general health of the person. In addition, it may also vary with the severity of the disease. 

Generally, lifestyle changes are the primary cause of many diseases. Thus, the treatment and curable measures for getting recovered from Gout include some of the lifestyle changes as given below:

• Avoiding consumption of drinks and alcohol
• Controlling other diseases which have already affected the joints
• Consume fewer amounts of high protein-rich foods
• Avoid the intake of more nonalcoholic liquid items.
• If obesity is found to be the primary cause, start losing weight.
• Keep your blood sugar level at the optimum.
• Avoid the consumption of high-cholesterol foods.
• Medications are also recommended for treating Gout.
• Colchicine and corticosteroids can be prescribed, which help reduce the joints' inflammation and the acute attack of Gout.
• Maintenance of low uric acid levels in the body.

Conclusion: 

Eating good and healthy foods and regular exercise in our daily life helps to reduce most complications and diseases in the body. Maintaining low uric acid levels can reduce the risk of Gout.