How is Gout Different from Arthritis?

There are many misconceptions about gout, particularly those about it affecting strictly privileged members of society who overindulge in rich food and drink and never exercise.

There are many misconceptions aboutgout, particularly those about it affecting strictly privileged members ofsociety who overindulge in rich food and drink and never exercise. Undoubtedly,diet and lifestyle play a large role in the onset of a gout attack, but it isnot only the elderly or sedentary who are affected. Heredity has as much to dowith the disease as lifestyle does; persons with a parent who suffered fromgout have a 1 in 4 chance of contracting it. Since gout is caused by anoverabundance of uric acid within the body, individuals with a family historyof kidney issues will be predisposed to show symptoms, since it is the kidneysjob to filter uric acid out of the system. Another common misconception is thatgout and arthritis are the same disease. Although gout is a form of arthritis,the causes, symptoms and treatments are very different. Keep reading below tolearn about how gout differs from arthritis:

Causes

Rheumatoid arthritis isclassified as an autoimmune disease, and while its causes have been speculated,the answer remains inconclusive. Gout, however, is known to be caused bybuild-ups of uric acid around the joints. If left untreated, it can lead tometabolic disease.

Symptoms

Arthritis often strikes the limbs,affecting small and large jointsthe fingers, hands, and arms in particularandusually affects both side of the body, rather than just one. Affected jointsare painful, swollen and stiff, especially in the morning, and the sufferer willoften feel ill and fatigued. Symptoms of arthritis progress rapidly after theirfirst onset.

When uric acid exists in the body toexcess, it forms crystals which collect in the joints, damaging them andcausing intense pain. Gout sufferers experience red, swollen and inflamedjoints, most commonly in the joint of the big toe. Gout attacks can be sopainful that they can prevent a patient from walking, or wake them up from adeep sleep. When gout strikes, it strikes suddenly and painfully, often with nowarning.

Treatments

People suffering from arthritis willneed to re-learn how to do all their daily tasks without putting undue stresseson their joints in order to keep them in shape for longer. To slow the onset ofarthritis and to ease pain symptoms, pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS andDMARDs may be prescribed.

People afflicted with gout will need tomake immediate lifestyle changes in order to reduce the levels of uric acid intheir system. Pharmaceuticals like steroids, NSAIDS and generic for Colchicinemay be prescribed.