is it possible to have gout in the elbow

Also known as known to as the "The Disease of Kings" or "Rich man's disease", gout is a painful condition that results from the combination of prolonged elevation of uric acid and overall acidity in the bloodstream. Gout is a type of arthritis, and is in fact among the more common forms of the condition, accounting for 5% of all cases. An elevated level of uric acid in the bloodstream can cause crystals of monosodium urate (MSU) or uric acid to be deposited on the articular cartilage of tendons and joints.

For nearly 75% of those affected, gout initially affects the joints in the big toe. It can however also affect areas of the human body like:

• Knee
• Wrist
• Fingers
• Elbow
• Ankle
• Heel

However, do not simply assume that your symptoms are being caused by gout. It is always advisable to get your suspicions checked out by a medical profession, after which you can take whatever course of treatment is appropriate.

It usually helps to identify gout in its early stages as it gets progressively worse and more painful. Gout usually progresses through four stages.

• Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: The first stage of gout, this period is characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. A person in this stage does not usually require treatment.
• Acute Gout: In the second stage of gout, the deposit of uric acid crystals in joint spaces causes swelling in the joints accompanied by a sudden onset of intense pain. Initial attacks subside within 3 to 10 days and the next attack may not occur for months or even years.
• Interval/Intercritical Gout: The third stage of gout is actually the period between two acute attacks. At this stage, a person may not show any symptoms in particular.
• Chronic Tophaceous Gout: The fourth stage of gout is characterized by intense pain. By then, the disease has caused permanent damage to the affected joints and sometimes even to the kidneys. With timely treatment, most people affected by gout don't progress to this stage.

If addressed early, you can prevent your condition from reaching a severe stage. A person affected by gout can prevent future attacks primarily by following a healthy lifestyle. Certain measures that can help prevent a repeat attack are:

• Exercising
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids as they help remove uric acid from the body.
• Avoid foods that contain high amounts of purines.
• Avoiding excessive intake of alcohol.

Uric acid is a created as a result of the breakdown of substances called purines which are found commonly in foods and drinks, such as mackerel, dried beas, peas, liver, wine and beer. It is therefore particularly important to stay away from all these substances.

answered by G M

Symptoms of gout include arthritic attacks i.e intense, throbbing pain that usually comes in the form of attacks at night which leave the affected joints red and inflamed. Gout is caused when the content of uric acid in the bloodstream is too high, either due to consumption of food rich in uric acid or because of insufficient excretion. It is a condition related to the kidney problems and the metabolic system of the body and affects the knee, elbow, thumb and most often the big toe. If ignored for too long, gout can eventually lead to severe tissue and kidney damage.

Immediate relief can be obtained by applying n ice-pack on the affected area to reduce the swelling and consequently the pain. Apart from that, one should increase the water intake and drink from 5 to 6 glasses a day. Foods that should be avoided or at least consumed in limited quantities are fish, meat, poultry and vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, whole grain cereals and yeast. Alcohol, particularly beer, increases the production of uric acid in the system and inhibits its excretion so it is advisable to avoid it and when drinking to also consume snacks high in carbohydrate content, like crackers fruit or cheese. Apart from this increasing intake of cherries, carrot juice, beetroot juice, cucumbers, apples, bananas, and French beans is generally recommended since they offer excellent natural remedies for gout.

answered by G M