Kicking Away Gout

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Kicking Away Gout

• By Victoria Rojas

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What is Gout?

• Most common foot and ankle arthritis
• Acute attack overnight and 12-24 hours later
  pain, swelling, redness, and shiny appearance in
  skin occur

• Excess uric acid in blood becomes non-
  dissolvable and produces crystals in joint
• Crystals are microscopic
• High levels of uric acid in blood
  hyperuricaemia

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Causes of Hyperuricaemia

• Obesity
• Heredity
• High alcohol intake- especially beer and wine
• Intake high blood pressure medications
• High purine intake
• Purines are substances found in certain foods and
  increase uric acid when broken down.
• Offal foods (kidney, tongue, brain, heart,
  sweetbread, and liver)
• Too much red meat
• Shellfish, fish roe, and scallops.
• Peas, lentils and beans.
• Alcohol
• Certain medications

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Treatments

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• High blood uric acid medication
• Fluid intake
• Rest and elevation
• Diet changes

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Extras and Complications

• More common in males, Pacific Islanders and New
  Zealanders.
• Uric acid salts can also form in surrounding
  tissues and around the joint.
• Usually appears in big toe
• Pain is excruciating!