Gout – The Rich Man’s Disease
May 19, 2009
Gout is the rich man’s disease because the cause behind its development is the lavish lifestyle of the upper social class people who eat rich heavy food and lead sedentary lifestyle. It is one of the most widely observed medical illnesses.
In gout there is increase in level of uric acid in body, which results in formation of tiny crystals of biurate that deposit in different parts of the body, especially the joints, knees, toes and ears. The condition is an inherited abnormality in the body’s ability to maintain the level of uric acid.
When these crystals cause recurring episodes of joint inflammation, it is known as acute gouty arthritis (primary stage). Chronic gout is a secondary condition wherein deposits of hard lumps of uric acid settle in and around the joints causing joint deformity, hypertension, and kidney stones.
Causes
Excess uric acid may be due to some genetic reasons or can be due to the excess alcohol consumption, unhealthy eating habits, high protein-rich diet etc. Other reasons for gout includes nose or throat disease, any kind of surgery, and local trauma to the affected joint.
Symptoms
Symptoms generally appear during late night or early morning (usually at 2-3 am). Patient may feel severe, unbearable, agonising pain in the affected body part. The affected part is often swollen, red, tender and hot to touch. Pain increases by movement, touch or exposure to cold air. Symptoms persist for 8-10 days. Accompanying symptoms may include fever, malaise and body pain.
Other symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia and sometimes kidney stones. In acute cases, kidney fails to function completely. In later stages, joint deformity can also occur.
Dietary Management
Patients of gout should strictly stick to healthy, light, easily digestible, nutritious, low protein, low purine diet with increased fluid intake.
Dietary restrictions include avoiding red meat, meat extracts, meat soups, fish, liver, wine, beer, sweet bread and fried food. Dietary advice includes adding vegetables or vegetable juice, fruits (apple, banana, grapes, oranges, cherries), milk and milk products, eggs and cereals in the diet.
Weight reductions, sweating through exercising and reduced alcohol intake are also the measures to reduce uric acid.
Treatment
During the attack period, full rest should be taken; local heat or cold may be applied to reduce swelling and pain medications on physician’s prescription should be taken.
Comments
Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.