Gout is an important disease of the elderly.
Gout is a disease that has been with our history for a long time. Since 2640 BC. The Egyptians defined a disease characterized by acute inflammation of the big toe joint as ‘Podagra’. Later, the Greek physician Hippocrates (Hippocrates) called diseases with similar characteristics that ‘The Unwalkable Disease’, the symptoms of which are all consistent with current gout.
In ancient times, gout was known as The Disease of Kings or Arthritis of the Rich because it is a disease caused by eating too much food and drinking alcohol. This is the way of life of the rich only. Therefore, there was a trend for men in the past to eat and drink to make themselves suffer from gout.
The word gout comes from the Latin word ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app ‘Gutta’ which means ‘Drop’, meaning ‘flowing down or dripping’, comparing it to phlegm (Phlegm) flowing down and collecting in the joints. Causes pain and inflammation in various joints in the body.
What is gout?
Gout is more common in men than in women. It is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in various joints of the body, especially joints with low temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius, such as the knuckles of the fingers, ankles, big toes, and feet. (Metatarsophalangeal Joint) In some people, there may be high uric acid in the blood but no symptoms. We call this type Asymptomatic Gout, and when there is acute pain or Acute Gout Attack, there will be symptoms of arthritis, pain, swelling, redness, and heat. The pain can last for 3 to 10 days. If the patient does not receive treatment and is allowed to have continuous pain, it will cause chronic gout (Chronic Gout) until the formation of a lump in the tree’s eye or Tophi (Tophi). This lump will rub against and cause damage in our joints
When the level of uric acid in the blood is high Uric will precipitate around joints, causing inflammation and the production of substances C3a and C5a, which can induce white blood cells to enter the area of inflammation. It produces substances such as Interleukine-6 and TNF-alpha, causing more and more inflammation, destroying joints, tendons, and cartilage as a result.
Diagnosing gout
- water penetration into joints or tophi to check for uric acid crystals
- There is pain, swelling, redness, and heat of the joints.
- Measure uric acid levels in the blood. (Men’s values are greater than 7 mg/dL and women’s values are greater than 6 mg/dL.)
Medicinal treatment by medical specialists
Medicines used for treatment are divided into 2 main groups.
- Medicines to reduce joint inflammation include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), colchicine, and steroid-based medicines to reduce severe inflammation. (Corticosteroid) used only for the short term.
- Medications to prevent gout attacks Important drugs that reduce uric acid production, such as Allopurinol (Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors) and drugs that increase uric acid excretion through the kidneys (Probenecid), etc.