Acute Gouty Arthritis: Causes, Complications, and Treatment

People who suffer from joint tenderness and swelling must consult a rheumatologist in Lahore. The symptoms correlate with acute gouty arthritis. The specialist will help diagnose the disease and provide treatment options that would allow the patient to lead a healthier life.

It is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints due to excess uric acid in the body. People with a family history are at a higher risk of suffering from the condition. Men above fifty are more prone to getting diagnosed with gout. There is no cure available; however, the treatment options can help manage the symptoms.

Symptoms of Acute Gouty Arthritis

• People can notice inflammation in the toes of the feet.
• The person suffers from arthralgia.
• In severe cases, the person may suffer from joint destruction.
• The person can notice swelling around the joints
• The affected part becomes red.
• Causes of Acute Gouty Arthritis

Known Causes that Correlate with Acute Gouty Arthritis

The causes include:

• Due to the accumulation of uric acid in the joints, the person suffers from inflammation and tenderness of joints.
• Excessive intake of meat and seafood can cause an increase in the uric acid levels in the body.
• The use of certain medications can cause problems with joints.
• People with close relatives suffering from gout are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
• Obesity correlates with acute gouty arthritis. People with higher BMI may suffer from gout as a complication.
• People diagnosed with heart or kidney disease are more likely to develop the condition as a complication.

Preventive Measures

The preventive measures that can help in minimizing the chances of developing acute gouty arthritis include:

• People should maintain healthy body weight by eradicating junk and sweetened drinks from their daily diet.
• If the person is at a higher risk of developing heart or kidney disease, then they must eliminate drinking and smoking from their lifestyle.
• Everyone should develop a habit of consuming at least 1.2 liters of water daily despite the weather conditions.
• Individuals diagnosed with acute gouty arthritis must consume low-fat dairy products to avoid complications.
• People should only consume meat and seafood as per their daily dietary requirements.

Complications Associated with Acute Gouty Arthritis

The complications are:

• The swelling may affect bodily movements.
• The uric acid crystals may deposit under the skin, leading to further complications.
• It can lead to kidney stones.
• The person may suffer from gout multiple times a year, which affects the functioning of the joints.

Diagnosis of Acute Gouty Arthritis

Tests to diagnose the person with gout include:

• Physical Examination and Family History: The specialist requires to know other members suffering from gout, and physical examination allows to check redness, tenderness and swelling around the joints.
• Blood Testing: The testing allows to check if the uric acid levels are above normal in the body.
• Imaging Testing: The CT scan and MRI help detect the accumulation of uric acid crystals.
• ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a test that allows detecting infection in the body. The infection may have led to inflammation.
• Synovial Fluid Examination: The fluid is taken from the joints to detect the presence of uric acid.

Effective Treatment Options

• The medication has proven beneficial include:
• The use of NSAIDs helps deal with the swelling and provides instant relief from the pain.
• The use of Corticosteroids helps provide ease and reduce inflammation.
• The use of Xanthine Oxidase inhibitors helps lessen the production of uric acid in the body.
• Anti-gout agents are proven beneficial for the patient as they provide relief from the pain.

A rheumatologist in Karachi can help the patient understand the cause of the condition and treatment options that would allow them to deal with the pain.