What is Gout?
Gout is a disease in which certain chemical processes of the body are impaired resulting in the build-up of too much uric acid. Gout is characterised by sudden attacks of extremely painful, swollen, hot joints.
What Causes Gout?
Almost all people with gout have hyperuricemia (too much uric acid in the blood). However, not everyone with high uric acid has gout. Uric acid is a normal waste product from the breakdown of purines. Purines are found in most foods but some foods are much richer in purine content. Uric acid is normally dissolved in the blood and removed through the kidneys. Hyperuricemia is the result of either the body producing too much uric acid or the kidneys not clearing it fast enough.
In people with gout, uric acid changes into crystals which are deposited in joints and other tissues. Such deposit of uric acid crystals is called a tophus. The crystal deposit in the joint irritates the synovium (joint lining) resulting in inflammation. The joint becomes painful, swollen, red and hot. This is called an acute attack of gout.
What happens if the Disease is not treated?
In the beginning, attacks of gout are few and far between. Each episode lasts for only a few days and in between attacks the person is well and has no symptoms. If the disease is not controlled by medication, attacks may become more frequent and tend to last longer. Repeated attacks can damage the affected joints. Once the joints are damaged, the person may experience stiffness and limitation of motion even after the attack of gout is over. In some patients, uric acid crystal deposits called tophi form lumps under the skin. They are often found in or near severely affected joints, in or near the elbows, over the fingers and toes and along the outer edge of the ears. If untreated, they can damage the affected part of the body. Get Treated for Gout Treatment in Dubai.
Uric acid crystals can form stones in the kidney and its collecting system, the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder (ureter) and in the bladder. These stones can cause pain (colic) but more importantly, they can cause kidney damage through repeated infection or obstruction to the flow of urine.
