Naturally, uric acid is a compound produced by the body to break down purines. Purines are natural substances that have several important functions for the body. Starting from regulating cell growth to providing energy. Later, when the body has finished using it, uric acid will be excreted through the urine.
However, sometimes the body can produce too much uric acid or the kidneys have problems making it secrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, which is what causes gout. form sharp, needle-like urate crystals in the joint or surrounding tissue causing pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Gout is a condition that can cause unbearable pain, swelling, and a feeling of heat in the joint area. All joints in the body are at risk for gout, but the joints most commonly affected are the fingers, knees, ankles, and toes. Generally, gout can strike men more easily, especially those over 30 years of age.
But for women, gout can appear after menopause. The pain experienced by people with gout can last for a certain period of time, with the development of symptoms so fast. Often people misunderstand and equate gout with rheumatism. In fact, rheumatism is a term that describes pain in joints or muscles that are inflamed.
Symptoms of Gout
The following are some common symptoms of gout:
- Joints suddenly feel very sore.
- The pain will develop quickly within a few hours and be accompanied by severe pain
- Difficulty walking due to nagging pain, especially at night.
- When the symptoms subside and the swelling goes down, the skin around the affected joint will appear scaly, flaky, and itchy.
Gout Risk Factors
There are several factors that can trigger an increase in uric acid levels in a person's blood, including:
- Often consume foods with high purine content, such as red meat, animal offal, and several types of seafood (eg anchovies, sardines, clams, or tuna).
- Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages and high-sugar drinks.
- Have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome disorders, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, leukemia, anemia, sleep apnea, hypertension, and obesity.
- Have a family with gout.
- Have recently had an injury or surgery.
Gout Treatment
Treatment of gout can be done by giving gout medication. However, the administration of this uric acid drug will be adjusted to the severity of the disease. The drugs are given functionally to relieve pain while preventing gout attacks in the future.
In addition to the use of drugs, the doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes. This aims to help manage the symptoms of gout while reducing the risk of future gout attacks.
The following are some of these lifestyle changes:
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Reduce excessive sweet or salty foods
- Lose weight,
- Quit smoking, if you are a smoker.
- Exercise regularly
If you feel some of the symptoms of gout that don't get better, you should immediately see a doctor. Quick and proper treatment will prevent serious complications. And indeed you should immediately consult a doctor as soon as possible. Because in order to get the right treatment and education early on. Don't wait for symptoms to get worse.
The article was written by dr. Reygais Razman, Sp.OT, M.Kes (Orthopedic and Traumatology Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).