Gouty
Arthritis
Gout-Podagra

Severe gouty
arthritis with tophi
Podagra refers to
gout of the foot, particularly the metatarsophalangeal
joint of the big toe. In severe cases the metatarsal-phalangeal
and tarsal joints are involved. Gouty arthritis is a
metabolic disorder which results in the body's loss of ability
to control uric acid production and excretion, uric acid
is a byproduct of purine metabolism, two thirds of
uric acid is excreted via the kidneys, and the remainder
via the gut.Sadly, humans are the only mammals that
lack an enzyme to breakdown purines.
These prolonged high uric levels in the blood,
(hyperuricemia) result in the deposition of uric acid
deposits in the joints, kidneys, and subcutaneous tissues.The
uric acid deposits crystallize and form insoluble precipitates,
somewhat like shards of broken glass, causing inflammation,
swelling and severe pain.Tophaceous Gout
Hyperuricemia is by no means an indication of a gouty state,
for many people with this condition do not have gout, and many
of those with gout do not have hyperuricemia, so it would
appear that there are many other factors at work here.Because
the gouty condition may present with similar symptoms as that
of pseudogout, and infective arthritis, it is essential that
joint aspiration be the deciding diagnostic test.Pseudo Gout
Gout attacks most commonly occur in
males over 40, less than 5% of gout suffers are females.The
usual incidence of gout in females occurs some 10 plus years
after menopause, however, it may occur in younger females who
have misused diuretics, and in others who have inborn errors of
metabolism.Gout in males
Recent research has put paid to the old idea that gout was a
disease of the wealthy who dined on rich fatty food and fine
wines. This study found that:" the only major dietary
difference between 61 men with gout, and another group of men
who didn't have it was that 41 per cent of the gout group drank
more than a dozen cans of beer-two and a half litres- a
day".
Approximately 95% of gout victims have primary gout, which
is due to the overproduction of uric acid. This has been blamed
on inherited enzyme defects, however, while this may be the
case in some individuals, there appear to be many other factors
involved.
The fact that females with low estrogen levels in their 60s
are more likely to develop gout, and that older males in their
80s are less likely to develop gout appears to indicate that
hormones play a significant role.Gout in females
There is also very strong evidence that diet plays a huge
role in the development of gout, many gout victims have
observed that a gouty attack may often be triggered by
consumption of a particular food, or over indulgence in
alcohol.
Secondary gout can occur in both males and
females between the ages of 30 and 50, and is often due to
drugs or disorders that promote hyperuricemia. The drugs most
often implicated are diuretics which decrease the renal tubular
excretion of urate.Renal disease, hypertension, malnutrition,
cancer and hemolytic disorders can cause secondary gout to
occur.
Read more: Gout in females
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References: White, B Linda & Foster Steven The Herbal
Drugstore Published Rodale 2000
http://www.sayno2arthritis.com/blog
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