What is Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation and sudden attacks of severe pain. The attacks can be so severe that they can wake a person up at night. If gout is not treated, the attacks recur and can lead to damaged joints and other tissues. Fortunately, gout is treatable and the treatment can reduce the risk of future attacks.
Senior Care in Frederick County VA: What Is Gout?
Causes of Gout
About 4 percent of people in the United States are affected by gout, but it affects more men than women. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 6 million men have gout, but only 2 million women have it. Gout happens when a person has too much uric acid in their blood. Most of the time, excess uric acid doesn’t lead to gout. But, sometimes it causes crystals to form in joints. The crystals cause inflammation and pain.
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down a substance called purine. Purine occurs naturally in the body but is also found in certain foods, like seafood, organ meats, and steak. Some foods also cause uric acid levels to rise, such as alcoholic drinks and drinks that are sweetened with fructose. When the kidneys don’t excrete enough uric acid or if the body produces too much, it can cause a buildup of uric acid.
Symptoms of Gout
Symptoms of gout almost always happen suddenly and most often happen at night.
Symptoms of gout include:
-Severe Joint Pain: The most commonly affected joint is the big toe. However, gout can occur in other joints as well. Pain associated with a gout attack is at its worst for the first four to twelve hours.
Swelling and Redness: Joints affected by gout attacks become inflamed, feel warm to the touch, and appear red.
-Lasting Discomfort: Even after the worst pain is gone, the person might feel some discomfort in the affected joint for weeks.
-Decreased Mobility: Affected joints may not have a full range of motion and mobility will decrease with subsequent gout attacks.
Home Treatments for Gout
Although people with gout should see a doctor for medical treatment, there are things that can be done at home to relieve pain.
To ease the pain of a joint attack, try these strategies:
-Rest: The joint should be rested until the worst pain is gone and for about a day after the attack. A home care provider can allow a senior with gout to rest by handling the household tasks the senior cannot.
-Elevate and Ice: Keeping the joint elevated and using an ice pack can reduce inflammation. A home care provider can adjust pillows to help an older adult to sit comfortably with a limb elevated. They can also prepare and apply an ice pack.
-Use NSAIDs: Over the counter, NSAIDs can relieve pain. However, check with a doctor before using any medications to ensure they will not interact with other medications the senior is taking. Also, do not use aspirin as it can cause a sudden change in uric acid levels, making symptoms worse.
Gout is an extremely painful condition, but home care providers can bring comfort to gout sufferers by employing the strategies above. In addition, simply having a home care provider around to talk to and do activities with can be a distraction for seniors, taking their mind off of the pain.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Frederick County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care.
Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/tc/gout-topic-overview#1
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/basics/definition/con-20019400
http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/what-is-gout.php
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/basics/causes/con-20019400
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/basics/symptoms/con-20019400
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/tc/gout-home-treatment
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