Although Pseudo Gout and Gout are two distinct diseases, the symptoms of both are nearly the same. Both are the most common types crystal-induced arthritis. Both are inflammation-related diseases and are caused in part by crystal formation in the joint areas. Gout is caused primarily by monosodium-urate monohydrate crystals, while pseudo gout is caused mainly by calcium pyrophosphate crystallines. As you can see, the causes of gout and pseudo gout are different. Let’s have a quick look at the differences between these two diseases. The main cause of gout is, as we have said, the buildup of uric acid in your body.
Let’s understand it
Normal conditions, the urine clears the body of uric acid, which is a byproduct from purines. The kidneys can’t process uric acids if they are high in blood. The uric acids then start to form uric Acid crystals, which are then stored in the tissues and joints. Gout attacks can result in severe pain, skin tenderness, and sometimes white chalky discharge. The foods that increase uric acid levels in the body include high-purine foods, alcohol, and beer.
Pseudo-gout is also known as calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. It is a medical condition in which the calcium pyrophosphate-dihydrate crystals build up in the cartilage, then in the fluid around the joints. This causes intermittent pain and inflammation, similar to gout attacks. It is not known why calcium pyrophosphate-dihydrate crystals form in the cartilage and joints fluid.
Causes
There could be many reasons. Problems can be caused by an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. This could be due to a high level of parathyroid hormone. The problem could also be caused by an abnormally high level of iron in the tissues. Hypomagnesemia, or a very low level magnesium in the blood, can also cause the problem. The pseudo gout problem may also be genetic.
The symptoms of pseudo gout can be somewhat similar to gout. They are also very similar to symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid. The symptoms of pseudo gout include chronic acute pains, inflammation, especially in the knees, wrists, and other large joints. Fever can be caused by pseudo gout. Patients with pseudo gout will not develop hard lumps or uric acid crystals, as in gout. The treatment of pseudo gout and gout is almost identical. Both diseases can be treated with the same lifestyle, proper medication, and the same food diets.