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No Doubt, It's Gout
Nighttime predator causes bumps in the night
It attacks mostly at night —- suddenly and painfully —- leaving its victims swollen and bruised. No, the fictitious boogey-man has not struck again. This nighttime predator is gout, an arthritis-like condition that causes sudden episodes of pain, tenderness, redness and swelling in a joint. It usually develops very quickly — often overnight — and usually affects one joint at a time. "Gout commonly occurs in men between the ages of 40 and 50 and is strongly associated with obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (excessive amounts of fat in the blood), and diabetes," said F.X. Plunkett, orthopedic surgeon at Tri Rivers Surgical Associates. "Women who have gout usually develop it after menopause." According to Dr. Plunkett, gout results from a build-up of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a bodily waste product that is normally eliminated in the urine. Excessive uric acid can be difficult for the body to metabolize. It can seep through the blood vessels and deposit as crystals in the joints and other tissues causing inflammation. "A gout episode may be triggered by drinking too much alcohol; eating foods rich in purines — such as organ meats, dried beans and sweetbreads — that are metabolized to uric acid in the body; following crash diets; undergoing chemotherapy, or experiencing a joint injury," Dr. Plunkett said. During a gout episode, an individual may experience sudden, severe joint pain, swelling and extreme tenderness in the joint area. He or she may also notice shiny red or purple skin around the joint. To diagnose gout, a physician will conduct a physical examination and may take a blood sample to determine the amount of uric acid in the body. The amount of uric acid in the blood, however, does not always coincide with the presence or absence of gout. Someone with high uric acid levels may not have gout, while someone else with normal levels may. "Treatment of gout usually includes taking anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription medications to relieve pain and swelling during acute episodes and to prevent future flare-ups," Dr. Plunkett said. "Changing your diet to limit purine-rich foods and to maintain a healthy body weight can also help alleviate symptoms." If left untreated, further episodes and lasting joint pain may occur. Fortunately, with early diagnosis and correct treatment, gout can be successfully controlled in most cases.
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