Gout is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases and is considered a disease of affluence because an unhealthy lifestyle is the main cause of it. We will show you the typical signs of a gout attack.
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What is gout?
Gout is an inflammatory joint disease and is one of the typical lifestyle diseases. It occurs mainly in old age and as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. The disease can be chronic, but can also manifest itself in extremely painful, acute gout attacks. Gout occurs when the levels of uric acid in the blood are very high – this condition is called hyperuricemia . The uric acid migrates from the blood into the tissue of our joints and organs, where it settles and crystallizes. The uric acid levels can either result from kidney disease increased because the kidneys are responsible for excreting uric acid. Or the hyperuricemia occurs as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle with a purine-rich diet. The purines in our food are converted to uric acid in the body and an excess can lead to a gout attack with the following symptoms.
Gout: 3 signs of a gout attack
1. Severe joint pain
An acute gout attack is usually accompanied by extremely severe joint pain. The big toes are particularly frequently affected , but the knees, hands and fingers can also be affected. The pain occurs mainly at night and can become unbearable for those affected – especially when the joint is touched or moved. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories are therefore administered acutely in therapy to stop the gout attack.
2. Swollen joints
Since the affected joints become inflamed during a gout attack, the typical signs of inflammation are also present: swelling, redness, pain, warmth and restricted mobility. In addition, so-called gout nodes can form, in which the uric acid is deposited. Such lumps can be seen with the naked eye, so a swollen joint is a typical sign of gout. Since the pharyngeal nodules can lead to deformation and bursting open, they require prompt medical treatment.
3. Kidney stones
Just as uric acid can accumulate in your joints, it can also crystallize in certain organs. The kidneys are particularly often affected, which is why kidney stones can be a first indication of increased uric acid levels. If such a uric acid stone settles in the urinary tract, this is accompanied by excruciating pain. Since this can damage the kidneys, immediate medical treatment is required.
How to prevent a gout attack
- Avoid purine-containing foods such as meat, certain types of fish (sardines, mackerel, herring, tuna), and seafood and shellfish.
- Avoid fruit juices and other sources of highly concentrated fructose, as this increases uric acid levels and reduces breakdown.
- Alcohol reduces the excretion of uric acid and should therefore be avoided.
- Instead, grab fruit, vegetables, whole grains and plant-based protein sources such as legumes or nuts.
