Is gout a fatal disease?
Is gout a fatal disease?
Truth: Gout can’t kill you directly, but it can cause serious health problems that may eventually kill you, says Robert Keenan, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Duke University.
What happens when you have a gout flare up?
Flares happen more often and last longer. Over time, the inflammation causes lasting damage to bone and cartilage. Flare-ups in other parts of your body. About half of people with gout have their first attack in the joint at the base of the big toe.
When does gout become a long term problem?
When Gout Becomes a Long-Term Problem. It can turn into a long-term condition, leading to painful and damaged joints. Gout will happen differently for everyone. But signs that it may be getting worse include: Flares happen more often and last longer. Over time, the inflammation causes lasting damage to bone and cartilage.
What to do if you think your gout is getting worse?
If you think your condition is getting worse, talk to your doctor. They will give you medicine to keep your uric acid levels low and to try to prevent future attacks and complications. Allopurinol (A loprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) treats chronic gout by lowering the uric acid produced in your body.
How is gout different from arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
It is a type of arthritis (although it is very different to the more common rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis ). The pain of a gout attack can be severe. Gout is caused by a chemical in the blood, called uric acid (urate). Uric acid is usually harmless and is made in the body.
Flares happen more often and last longer. Over time, the inflammation causes lasting damage to bone and cartilage. Flare-ups in other parts of your body. About half of people with gout have their first attack in the joint at the base of the big toe.
What foods can cause a flare up of gout?
Gout is caused by a high level of uric acid in your blood. It builds up in your joints and leads to a flare. So you need to cut out foods that raise it. Watch out for trigger foods like: Red meat, especially organ meats like liver, tongue, and sweetbreads. Seafood, like fish and shellfish. High-fat meals.
What causes a person to have a gout attack?
Adults with diabetes or prediabetes may have high levels of the hormone insulin. This can cause too much uric acid in the body, triggering gout symptoms in your joints. Injury to some joints, especially your big toe, can also trigger a gout attack. This may happen because it causes inflammation and attracts uric acid crystals to the joint .
When Gout Becomes a Long-Term Problem. It can turn into a long-term condition, leading to painful and damaged joints. Gout will happen differently for everyone. But signs that it may be getting worse include: Flares happen more often and last longer. Over time, the inflammation causes lasting damage to bone and cartilage.