Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes either your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid.
This happens because: the body makes too much uric acid, and/or the kidneys can't add enough uric acid to your urine, so it builds up in your blood (the more common reason). That's why having gout and high uric acid may be signs of kidney disease, so if you have gout, get checked for kidney disease.
Kidney disease can lead to gout
Too much uric acid building up in the body is the cause of gout. Most people with early stage kidney disease do not know they have it. Gout can be a warning sign of kidney disease. If you have gout, ask your doctor if you should be tested for kidney disease.
When to see a doctor. If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint, call your doctor. Gout that goes untreated can lead to worsening pain and joint damage. Seek medical care immediately if you have a fever and a joint is hot and inflamed, which can be a sign of infection.
A blood test can check the level of uric acid in your blood. A high level of uric acid could mean you have gout. A uric acid level in the blood between 3.5 and 7.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) is considered normal for most people. When you have gout, doctors recommend your uric acid level stay below 6.0 mg/dl.
Start treatment immediately with over-the-counter ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), but never take aspirin, which can worsen a flare.
Drink a glass of skimmed milk a day...
Studies have shown that vitamin C, cherries, skimmed milk and low-fat yogurt can reduce the amount of urate in the body and therefore lower risks of gout attacks.
Rev up the Vitamin C
Some studies show that vitamin C can help lower uric acid levels in people who have gout, while a 2009 study showed that the more vitamin C men took, the less likely they were to get gout. Vitamin C is readily available in supplements as well as in common foods.
Research on the Connection Between Gout and Fatty Liver Disease. Recent studies have revealed a connection between gout and fatty liver disease, particularly NAFLD. Research has demonstrated that individuals with gout are more likely to develop NAFLD, and those with NAFLD are more likely to have gout.
Gut microbiota plays a key role in gout pathogenesis through the changes of diversity, abundance, metabolic pathway, and metabolites, such as SCFAs, resulting in hyperuricemia and gout flare.
Gout is an inflammatory joint disorder with increasing yearly incidence in the United States. It is affected by factors including diet, alcohol use and obesity, all of which are significant contributors to end stage liver disease.
Adults with hyperuricemia and gout are most likely to develop liver dysfunctions and suffer associated morbidities, according to a study published in Diseases.
Drinking plenty of water will help the body flush out the buildup of urate, which creates uric acid crystals that build up in your joint and causes inflammation and pain. Recent studies have shown that drinking adequate water during the 24 hours before a gout flare can decrease the intensity and recurrent gout attacks.
Grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries are all great sources of vitamin C, which lowers your uric acid levels and helps prevent gout attacks.
Despite this, walking during a gout flareup is safe, and it may even help reduce pain. When walking, it is important to wear supportive, comfortable shoes and to move slowly so as not to exacerbate your joint pain.
Patients can never be cured of gout. It is a long-term disease that can be controlled by a combination of medication to control the uric acid level, and anti-inflammation drugs to treat a flare-up. “Lowering the level of uric acid is key to treating gout, and patients must understand this.
Drink at least 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids daily, especially if you have had kidney stones. This will help flush the uric acid crystals out of your body.
Colchicineis a gout medicine that's most effective if taken right away. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are taken by mouth or can be injected into your joint. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) include ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen.
Allopurinol. Allopurinol is a medicine for people who make too much uric acid. It is the most common medicine used to treat chronic gout.