Gout predominantly affects middle age and elderly people, rarely occurring in young adults or children.
Although it occurs in both sexes, gout has the highest incidence in the male gender. Women usually develop the
disease
at more advanced stages of life, particularly after menopause.
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Gout usually targets older people instead of young people or children. More men
than women suffer from it, although women can develop gout after menopause. |
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Gout attack treatment must be started promptly.
Gout is a disease that generates symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. Common symptoms experienced
by gout sufferers are pain in the joints and adjacent connective tissues, as well as swelling and inflammation
of the lower limbs. Gout has a pronounced chronic character and its clinical manifestations tend to reoccur on
a regular time basis. The joint pain induced by gout is perceived in recurrent attacks, which can last from a
few hours to even a few days. As the disease progresses, the duration of gout attacks can exceed 7-10 days.
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Gout attacks usually center around the lower parts of the body when it first
occurs. The big toe is usually the most efected part of the body. |
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At first, gout attacks occur in the lower levels of the body, around the areas of the toes, heels and
ankles. Around 75 percent of patients diagnosed with gout experience acute attacks in the region of the big
toe. Gout attacks in the region of the big toe are referred to as podagra and they involve inflammation,
swelling, pain and a sensation of burning.
Acute gout attacks are very intense but they usually ameliorate quickly. This type of attacks is more likely to
occur during the night, generally lasting for 2-3 hours. Podagra can also occur due to acquired injuries or
intense physical effort that involves the lower limbs. This is the stage where you need to get a gout attack
treatment immediately.
Chronic gout attacks are usually long-lasting and they occur in multiple regions of the body. Apart from the
region of the toes, recurrent attacks also involve pain and inflammation of the knees, elbows, shoulders,
wrists and fingers. Both types of gout attacks can generate low to moderate fever and sweating.
The frequency and intensity of gout attacks are strongly influenced by obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol
abuse and inappropriate diet. In order to prevent the occurrence of such attacks, gout sufferers are advised to
limit the intake of seafood and meat in their diet. Foods like fresh fruits, raw vegetables, soy and low-fat
dairy products are known to prevent the occurrence of episodic symptoms and to speed up the amelioration of
already existent gout attacks. Gout sufferers are advised to divide their usual meals into smaller portions and
to avoid eating right before going to bed.
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Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed for gout attacks. |
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n order to alleviate the symptoms generated by gout attacks, doctors usually prescribe medications such
as anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients who experience severe gout attacks may be prescribed injections with
corticosteroids, which provide rapid relief for joint pain and tenderness. Common medications that can prevent
the occurrence of future gout attacks are probenecid, sulfinpyrazone and allopurinol.