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Is Sleep Apnea a Cause of Gout?

Gout can be caused by many things. Sleep apnea is one of the possible triggers we have been asked about recently. Although it may seem like these two conditions are unrelated, they are actually connected. When sleep apnea sufferers received treatment, their gout symptoms improved simultaneously. This link is thought to be due to the decrease in blood oxygen during sleep apnea episodes. This causes cell disintegration and the production of uric acid. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals in joints.

Apnea

Apnea can also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, which makes it more acidic and increases the risk for monosodium-urate precipitation. This can build up in the joints, and even increase the risk of developing kidney stone. This is similar to the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. It is important to note that alcohol can make sleep apnea worse. Gout sufferers with sleep disorder have two main reasons to abstain from alcohol. Gout and sleep apnea also have commonalities.

People with a larger neck circumference are more likely to have both gout or sleep apnea. Gout attacks are most common when you’re asleep. This indicates that sleep can have an effect on gout attacks. Other conditions and sleep disturbances may also play a role in gout attacks.

Let’s see…

Gout and sleep apnea were treated separately until recently. Many people suffering from sleep apnea find their gout is improved when they implement treatments for the condition. Preventative measures include avoiding sleeping on the back. The oxygen levels in the blood can drop if you sleep on your back. Gout attacks can be prevented by changing how you sleep.

This is done by increasing blood oxygen levels. Another treatment for sleep apnea is a pressurized CPAP machine or surgery. No matter what the final treatment, improving a patient’s sleep apnea problem will ensure that blood oxygen levels are high. This will minimize uric acid precipitation and gout flare-ups. If you have gout symptoms, you might want to check that you don’t also have sleep apnea. This could be a cause of your gout flare ups. You will then be able to examine both sleep apnea treatment and gout remedies. To determine if you have any sleep apnea, speak to your doctor about having a sleep study.

 

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