What Are the Elevated Uric Acid Symptoms of Gout?

What Are the Elevated Uric Acid Symptoms of Gout? It's generally accepted that the underlying cause of gout is elevated uric acid - a condition called 'hyperuricemia.' But many people get confused when they learn that not everybody with high levels will get gout and that there are folks with relatively low levels who will get gout. The truth is that, although there have been strides in understanding gout and how to treat it, there is still a lot that we don't know about gout, for example just why some people with high uric acid never get gout and some who have low levels do. Reasons for Elevated Uric Acid There are several reasons for high uric acid:- - diet high in purines (exists in body cells and foods) and fructose - abrupt changes to diet including fasting - rapid weight loss - hereditary reasons - kidneys not excreting excess acid fast enough - too much acid being produced for kidneys to handle Whatever the reason for hyperuricemia there is definitely a link between elevated acid levels and gout. But it isn't the uric acid itself that causes the symptoms but rather crystals of urate that can form out of the elevated acid levels and deposit themselves in the joints, tendons and surrounding tissue. Symptoms of Elevated Uric Acid and Gout The typical symptoms of gout are: - redness - swelling - inflammation - hot to touch - stiffness - great pain The majority of times - 50% to 70% of cases - these symptoms are found in the joint of the big toe, but they can also occur in the side of the foot, the ankles, knees, fingers, hands, and elbows. And because gout is caused by high acid levels then it's easy to see why some folks call these 'elevated uric acid symptoms.' Consequences of High Uric Acid and Gout One of the most serious long-term consequences of having recurring gout that most people aren't aware of is the damage that it can do to joints and kidneys. Frequently recurring gout can, over time, lead to permanently damaged joints as well as kidney issues such as painful kidney stones. Another fact that not enough people know about is that once a person has a gout attack the risk of having more attacks is significantly increased. And as time goes on these attacks can become more frequent and their symptoms more severe. That's why there is a pressing need for people with gout to not only get rid of their symptoms, but also to do everything possible to reduce their elevated uric acid levels and maintain them at more healthy levels, e.g. under 6 mg / dL.

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Arthritis Treatment: Psoriatic Arthritis - Background and Finally Getting Some Respect

Arthritis Treatment: Psoriatic Arthritis - Background and Finally Getting Some Respect One common form of arthritis that has been relatively ignored until recently is psoriatic arthritis. It is a systemic inflammatory destructive form of arthritis that is perhaps second only to rheumatoid arthritis in its ability to cause disability. It is often described as a mixed disease since unlike rheumatoid arthritis which is purely a destructive breakdown disease that causes bone loss, joint erosions, and joint destruction, psoriatic arthritis (PA), also causes new bone formation. The types of systemic features that accompany this condition are also unique in that inflammatory bowel disease, eye inflammation (uveitis), and psoriasis tend to accompany this type of arthritis. Another unique feature of the disease is the presence of enthesopathy, a localized inflammation at the site where the tendons attach to bone. Areas where this commonly occurs are the Achilles tendon, lateral epicondyle of the elbow, iliac crest, patellar tendon of the knee, plantar fascia of the heel, and the lateral hip. In addition, PA often presents with a peculiar condition called dactylitis. This occurs when the joints and tendon of a single digit or a few digits become acutely inflamed. This presentation is a hallmark of the disease. Patients with PA also have co-morbid conditions that can affect the disease. Examples include, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, elevated lipids, and heart disease. Treatments for psoriatic arthritis are not nearly as agreed upon as those for rheumatoid arthritis. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSIADS) may be useful for early symptomatic relief, they are ineffective in regards to slowing disease progression. Second line drugs, called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), while often used in a similar fashion to the way they're used in rheumatoid arthritis, are not nearly as effective. For example, the DMARD of choice in rheumatoid arthritis is methotrexate. While this drug works in some cases of psoriatic arthritis, its results are not as predictable. Also, it appears that patients with this condition may be at more risk for liver toxicity due to methotrexate. Plaquenil, another DMARD that is used for RA, rarely is effective for the disease. Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), has been used with some success but again, the results are not as predictable or dependable. The only group of medicines that appears to work well for psoriatic arthritis in a predicable fashion are the TNF inhibitors. There is some debate that certain TNF inhibitors work better for the skin than others. This is the subject of continued investigation. Other biologic treatmdnts are in the pipeline.

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3 Simple Increased Uric Acid Excretion Tips to Prevent Gout

3 Simple Increased Uric Acid Excretion Tips to Prevent Gout Gout sufferers have high uric acid because insufficient is being excreted from the body. This condition is called 'hyperuricemia' which eventually leads to gout. Here you'll discover 3 simple tips on how you can increase uric acid excretion in order to help prevent those excruciating gout attacks... Under normal conditions your kidneys flush excess uric acid from your body via your urine with a little excreted via stools. However, where your kidneys aren't working to their full potential and / or your body is just producing too much acid for your kidneys to handle, then not enough is being excreted leading to higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. These high levels - a condition called hyperuricemia - can lead to the formation of microscopic crystals of urate forming in your joints and surrounding tissue causing the agonizing symptoms we know as gout. So if you suffer from gout, you are generally more likely to have high acid levels that need to be reduced. And once they have been reduced to much healthier levels they need to be maintained there for the long-term. The long-term is very important because recurring gout can lead to some serious health problems over time. These are issues such as permanently damaged joints and kidney problems such as stones. So a gout sufferer really needs to work hard to lower their high acid levels and maintain them there. One of the ways to do that is through increased uric acid excretion, i.e. by helping your kidneys to process and expel as much of it as possible. Here are 3 simple but effective ways of increasing your uric acid excretion:- 1. Vitamin C Vitamin C has been shown to help in the urinary excretion process and reduce overall acid levels. Although its better to do this through a diet that is rich in vitamin C, studies have shown that good quality supplements can also be effective. Note: Talk to your physician / doctor before taking any supplements to ensure they are right for your particular case. 2. Water Drinking at least 2.5 litres of water per day is a great help to your kidneys in excreting uric acid. Water has the added benefit of helping to prevent crystals forming because it's harder for them to form in a well-hydrated body. And it also helps in expelling crystals that have already formed. It's better if you drink the water regularly and evenly throughout the day. 3. Limit or Eliminate Alcohol Consumption Alcohol can actually inhibit the amount of uric acid excreted. This is why it is one of the most potent triggers for gout attacks. Remember that we want to increase uric acid excretion not inhibit it. That means eliminating alcohol altogether or, at the very least, limiting its consumption to a max of 2 units per day for men and 1 unit for women. Over 65's should limit their consumption to 1 unit per day. So there you have it, 3 simple tips for increased uric acid excretion..

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7 Foods to Avoid for Uric Acid Buildup and Prevent Gout

7 Foods to Avoid for Uric Acid Buildup and Prevent Gout If you are a sufferer then you know that high uric acid leads to gout. So you know you need to reduce those levels. A key part of the process is to avoid certain foods. But which foods? Here you'll discover 7 foods to avoid for uric acid buildup in order to prevent gout... "You are what you eat" may never be truer than in the case of gout. You see, although gout symptoms are caused by the buildup of crystals in your joints and connective tissue, these crystals generally only form when you have higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in your system. So how does high uric acid come about and what part does the food you eat play in all this? Uric acid is a normal byproduct of your body's metabolism, produced by chemical compounds in your body called 'purines' that breakdown during this process. Now, normal healthy levels are a good thing because this acid is a very important antioxidant. The problem is that higher-than-normal levels isn't such a good thing, causing things like gout and kidney stones, among other things. But as long as your kidneys are healthy and working to their full potential they process and flush excess uric acid out of your body, leaving sufficient to do all the good things necessary. However if your kidneys aren't working effectively then not enough acid is being excreted and the excess is retained in the blood. This can lead to crystals forming in the joints and so gout. The problem is that even when your kidneys are working effectively there is another cause of high uric acid, which is that your body is producing too much for your kidneys to handle. One of the reasons for this could be your diet. The foods you eat also contain purines, some much more than others. So eating a diet that's high in purines only produces more uric acid, maybe more than your kidneys can handle. That's why it's important for gout sufferers to take a close look at their diet and consider making any changes necessary to help reduce the production of uric acid. 7 Foods to Avoid for Uric Acid So what foods should you avoid for uric acid? Seven foods that are particularly high in purines are:- 1. Organ meats: e.g. liver, heart, kidneys, brains, sweetbreads. 2. Game and game birds: e.g. venison, rabbit, partridge, pheasant, duck. 3. Shellfish: e.g. prawns, shrimp, langoustine, scallops, mussels. 4. Certain fish: e.g. mackerel, herring, anchovies, sardines, fish roe. 5. Some poultry: e.g. goose, turkey, chicken. 6. A few vegetables: e.g. mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, asparagus. 7. Gravy / meat extracts: e.g. gravies, consomme, broth, boullion. Although not a food, alcohol is known for being a major trigger of gout and should be avoided, especially beer, because brewer's yeast - and baker's yeast - is also high in purines. Whilst it's much better to avoid these foods if you can, it clearly can be difficult to stick to long-term. So, if you find it difficult then, at the very least, you should reduce their consumption in terms of how much you eat at one sitting and how often you eat them. For example, eat no more than a total of 6 ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry per day. But, while doing this, you're still best to avoid game and organ meat altogether as they are so very high in purines. [Note: Before changing your diet you must always consult your healthcare provider / physician for advice about its suitability for your particular case.]

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How to Lower Uric Acid Symptoms of Gout Using This Simple Fruit

How to Lower Uric Acid Symptoms of Gout Using This Simple Fruit The uric acid symptoms of gout - redness, warmth, swelling, inflammation, stiffness and horrible pain - can be prevented if you can lower your uric acid levels and keep them there. Here you'll discover a popular fruit that can help you achieve that aim... High uric acid is the precursor to gout because urate crystals can form and settle in your joints, thus causing your painful gout attacks. Now, if this is your first gout attack, you need to know that your are most likely to have more. And as these occur they can become more frequent and more intense. You must prevent this happening to you, not just because these attacks are so debilitating, but because recurring gout can actually leave you with permanently damaged joints and kidney problems such as painful kidney stones. So, by reducing these acid levels in your body, you can help to prevent your gout reoccurring time and time again and prevent some serious health issues in the future. When you have a gout attack the usual thing is to take NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - either over-the-counter or through prescription. And these can work over time to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. What they don't do is prevent future attacks. For future attack prevention your physician sometimes prescribes drugs to lower your uric acid. These can also be very effective. But they are only effective whilst being taken. If you stop them they cannot work and your gout can come back. This is why they are a long-term solution, sometimes being taken for life. Not everybody wants to take drugs and even those who do can suffer side effects from taking these medications. Luckily, there are many natural remedies for gout which more and more gout victims are turning to today. One such home remedy to lower uric acid symptoms is to consume cherries on a daily basis... Cherries contain anthocyanins which have natural anti-inflammatory properties. And studies have shown that they can also lower uric acid levels. So not only are cherries excellent for reducing inflammation and relieving the pain of an actual gout attack, they can be very effective in reducing your uric acid levels and so helping to prevent those dangerous recurring attacks. Some research points to 20 cherries a day as having the same effect as taking one NSAID. In terms of lowering uric acid levels for gout prevention, suggestions for the correct daily 'dose' varies anywhere between 6 and 40... In the 1950s a certain Dr. Blau recorded that he had 'cured' his gout by consuming 6 cherries per day. But more recent studies seem to suggest you probably need more than that. Of course everyone's metabolism is different, so you need to use trial and error to discover what works for you. One report suggests 30 to 40 cherries every 4 hours to help relieve uric acid symptoms during an actual gout attack. For gout prevention through lowering uric acid you might want to consider 30 to 40 cherries per day. Studies have also pointed to the effectiveness of cherry juice. So, where you can't get fresh cherries, you could use cherry juice as an alternative. But don't use the juice you get in cans of cherries you get in the supermarket. You need to get this juice from a health food store or perhaps the pharmacy.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Management Tips

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Management Tips Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease. The disease progresses and affects the joints. It can also affect other parts of the body. One of the most difficult issues with rheumatoid arthritis is the pain from inflammation. Little is known about the cause of the disease; however, it causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues within the body. The symptoms of the disease present themselves slowly, usually starting with stiff joints in the ankles, wrists, feet or fingers. Over a period of time, the disease can cause the hands, or other affected areas, to become deformed. The process for managing rheumatoid arthritis is a combination of many factors over a patient's lifetime. The severe pain can make sleep difficult and contribute to a low quality of life and fatigue. Managing the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most important components of living with the disease. There are several techniques sufferers can use to lessen the pain. Following are some rheumatoid arthritis pain management tips. Joint Techniques Move your joints consistently. When you wake up in the mornings and before you retire to bed at night, you should move your joints as much as possible. Moving the joints to the full range you can will keep your joints in motion, which can reduce pain. Make sure you don't move them to the point of pain and be gentle during your movement exercises. Hold items using the palms of your hands. Using your fingers to pinch items, such as paper, pens or books, for extended periods can cause your pain to arise. If you plan to hold something for an extended time, make sure you use your palms. Physical Therapy Use heating techniques. Heating inflamed areas can provide great relief from pain. Use a heating pad on the joints that are causing a problem. You can also contact a physical therapist for professionally administered and monitored electrical treatments. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling. An ice pack or ice in a soft cloth can help reduce any swelling and inflammation. Dietary Options Studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids have a positive impact on rheumatoid sufferers. You can consume more fish oils by increasing your fish intake or purchasing the supplements at your local grocer, convenience store or health food shop. Avoid saturated fats. Studies also show that consumption of saturated fats can increase inflammation, which will cause more pain. Furthermore, consuming a lot of omega-6 fatty acids can also cause additional inflammation, cancer or heart disease. Select a magnet for natural therapy. You can locate magnets in many forms at natural product stores or health shops. The magnets come in a number of forms and may assist with reducing your pain.

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Arthritis Treatment: New Trends in Gout Management

Arthritis Treatment: New Trends in Gout Management At a recent conference in Colorado, discussion of the optimal treatment for gout was a major area of discussion among rheumatologists. It appears that the disease, while growing in incidence and prevalence is not being treated appropriately. Factors that seem to contribute to this phenomenon are: metabolic syndrome (the association of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids), obesity, excessive alcohol ingestion, and the increased intake of high fructose containing beverages. Roughly eight million Americans have the disease; yet, only three million are being treated. Another issue is noncompliance. Studies have shown that about half of patients with gout don't take their medicines. Some important issues have been raised. First, not all patients with an elevated serum uric acid (SUA) have gout and not everyone with an elevated SUA should be treated with uric acid lowering therapies because of potential side effects. That being said, very elevated SUA levels should not be ignored because they are linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. Any level of 6.8 mgs/dl or higher is abnormal. Nowadays, laboratory "normal values" are higher than they were in the past because of the changing health status of Americans. More are obese and more have elevated SUA. They are the ones on whom the new "normal values" have been based. Does that make the "new normal" acceptable? Absolutely not! The Framingham study showed that people who had SUA levels higher than 9.8 mg/dl had a 22 per cent chance of getting gout within 5 years. Clearly, instituting early treatment for a gout attack is wise. Among the drugs that work well include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and glucocorticoids. Sometimes, combinations of these drugs need to be used in order to break an attack. SUA lowering treatments should not be started until the acute attack has been resolved. One big mistake is that some physicians unfamiliar with gout will start uric acid lowering treatment at much too high a dose. This only increases the likelihood of drug toxicity without increasing the chances of successfully controlling the gout. The two most effective drugs available for lowering SUA currently are allopurinol and febuxostat (Uloric). In patients where these drugs are ineffective, peguricase (Krystexxxa) is a viable option. The way to treat gout is to start low and go slow with frequent monitoring of SUA level shooting for a target of less than 6.0 mgs/dl.

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