4. Gout

Question 1

Why causes Gout?

Answer 1

Formation of Uric acid crystal in joints
Gene of Māori and Pasifika
When kidneys can’t get rid of too much uric acid then it form crystals

Question 2

Symptoms of Gout?

Answer 2

Sudden, often at night
Within hours, become red,
Swollen,
very painful
Warm to touch
lasts for 5–10 days

Question 3

How is gout diagnosed?

Answer 3

Blood uric acid above 0.36 mmol/L confirm its gout.

Question 4

Self Care for Gout?

Answer 4

Rest until your symptoms improve. Avoid soft drink,and alcohol, avoid sea food. Red meat.
Raise the inflamed joint and put an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas (wrapped in a towel) on your joint.
Don’t exercise or put pressure on the joint during an attack.
Drink 5 glasses of water each day,
Keep wait down

Question 5

What happens if gout is left untreated?

Answer 5

If gout isn’t treated, it can cause permanent damage to your joints and harm your kidneys.

Question 6

Treatment of GOUT?

Answer 6

NSAIDs
A short course of prednisone and tapper before stopping
Colchicine 500mcg 1-2 times daily if the patient can’t take NSAIDs and prednisone
Medicines to prevent recurrent gout attacks

Urate lowering therapy: limit uric acid production =>allopurinol and febuxostat.

Med eliminate uric acid from the body: Probenecid

Question 7

NSAIDs and pain killers for Gout safe in pregnency?

Answer 7

Caution: NSAIDs and pain killers interact with BP medications REFFER.