Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Is there a Difference between Arthritis and Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis. However, it is unique in at least one aspect. Gout flares up when you feel intense pain. It is affected by what you eat and drink. This disease can also be caused by herbal remedies and medications. Your activities from the previous day can play a role in the normal course of events that occur when there is a flare-up. A large amount of protein or a couple of beers (or both) is recommended. You go to sleep feeling fine. Your bedsheet is too painful to bear when you wake up, sometimes in the middle of the night.

Pseudo-Gout

The other is pseudo-gout and is treated in a completely different manner. To determine the amount of uric acids in your body, your doctor will perform both blood and urine tests. This is another difference between osteoarthritis and this type of arthritis. It is caused when your body produces something. Purine is the source of uric acid, which is a waste product. It can be found in many proteins, both animal and plant. It is usually filtered out by the kidneys. If there is a lot of it, your kidneys may not be capable of filtering it all.

The unfiltered acid circulates in your blood stream and crystallizes as it adds to the body’s already high levels. The crystals eventually become too heavy to move and get stuck in your joints. They can cause inflammation, pain, and redness in the tissue.

What To Do?

What should you do if you have gout? There are three things you can do, but they may require that your life be drastically altered. Your diet is the most important. Although most proteins contain purine, not all proteins have the same amount. The highest amount of purine is found in organ meats, including fish and seafood. This component is also found in processed meats like hot dogs and salami. Other cuts of meat and vegetables have less, but can still cause problems if consumed in excess.

You might need to change the way you drink. Beer and its cousins have two problems. The risk of crystal formation increases when alcohol dehydrates. Yeast also contains purine. Cherry juice, however, can be very helpful in stopping flare-ups and preventing future attacks. It is important to review your medications and supplements. Even fish oil can contain some of the causing constituents. Aspirin and willow bark should also be avoided. Low doses of aspirin shouldn’t cause any problems. Talk to your doctor if you are taking a higher dose or taking other medications that increase your risk factors.

 

Leave a comment