Gout

Created by: Oren, Bryan, Sindy

What is gout?

Gout is a build-up of unreleased uric acid in the body. This build-up of

uric acid causes swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation in the joints.

• Gout is one of the most painful yet controllable forms of arthritis

• It is caused by excess buildup of uric acid in the body

• The buildup can be caused by increase in uric acid production or the kidneys being unable to remove enough uric acid from the body

• The excess uric acid in the body becomes deposited as needle-like irate crystals in joints and soft tissues

Gout can affect body parts such as the:

• Big toe (also called podagra)

• Ankles

• Heels

• Knees

• Wrists

• Fingers

• Elbows Podagra

Gout can cause:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Redness

• Stiffness in joints

• Irritation in general

Ouch!!!

Risk factors that increase chance of gout:

• Being overweight

• Drinking too much alcohol

• Having family members who had gout (genetically)

• Eating foods rich in purines (purines are natural substances that metabolize into uric acid)

• Having an organ transplant can increase the risk

Gout treatment:

• Anti-inflammatory antibiotics

• Surgical removal (in severe cases)

• Medication called Celebrex oral

Celebrex:• Is a medication used to treat

gout

• Works by blocking the enzyme that produces prostaglandin, which helps reduce pain and inflammation

• May take up to two weeks before takes full effect

• Side effects include bloody or tarry stool

• May increase risk of heart attack if you have heart disease

Gout in Canada: • Affects about 3% of all Canadian adults

• The occurrence of gout has doubled in the last 20 years

• More likely to occur with older age (30+ men, 50+ women)

• Men are four times more likely to have gout than women

Sources:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=51

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/gout-leaflet#

http://www.arthritis.ca/page.aspx?pid=930

http://www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Articles/Arthritis/Find-out-more-about-gout.aspx#

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/ds00090

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/

http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/gout.asp

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-16849-Celebrex+Oral.aspx?drugid=16849&drugname=Celebrex+Oral