What is gout arthritis? How does uric acid cause inflammation?

Explaining how uric acid causes gout arthritis and inflammation, and how to treat gout arthritis. Isn't gout only something that pirates get?! Sick Notes explains exactly how the symptoms of gout are brought about and the basis of treating it.

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Related links:
- UK Gout Society: list of foods that contain purines that break down into uric acid

- NHS Choices for information on gout

[ep]

If there is a buildup of uric acid in the blood it's only for one reason. Blood is normally 94% water and when you become dehydrated the viscosity increases. The solid matter contained within the blood turns acidic and (ta-da!) you get a buildup of uric acid.

Prescribing medications or avoiding certain foods does not solve the problem. Medications only hide the problem while avoiding certain foods does not correct the dehydration problem. Not correcting the dehydration will retain the high acidity of the blood no matter what else you throw at it.

"Drinking water" was mentioned here, but given no more importance than it being just a passing thought. Every function depends on water and when people maintain a dehydrated state, it will affect those functions. The problem here is dehydration - fix that and you fix the gout.

[Charlie]

Currently experiencing my first gout attack, in my big toe, age 35. This has been the most startling wake up call to get my diet/health in order. Holy god this is excruciating. 5am here because of course sleeping is impossible.

[bryantan]

Hi Dr Hope. Your videos are really useful. I'm a pharmacy student from Malaysia and I have to say, your videos are great :) I have a suggestion for a Sick Notes: difference between different arthitis. Cheers!

[CaptainChurrr]

gout is one of the worst pains ever, the slightest breeze of air brushes pass it feels like glass and knives are stabbing, your feet is like its on fire

[Miniscozzie]

As a gout sufferer at the age of 23, I had to do a lot of self searching to help ease my attack, most of which are so sever they can reduce me to tears from the pain. I've been on Naproxen (as an NSAID) and Colchicine for the lowering the build up of crystals. It's been roughly 3 weeks since my last attack, and the swelling and pain hasn't fully gone away and I'm left with some residual bruising protruding from the MTP joint making it near impossible to put on any kind of tight shoewear.

If you feel any kind of horrific pain in your foot, go to your GP and get checked for Gout. I assumed my case was something simple, like a sprain. Turns out it was gout. Get treated and adjust your diet accordingly (especially switching from sugary sodas and excessive rich meats and food consumption). It'll go a long way to lessing the frequencies, along with medication like Allopurinol to regulate Uric Acid levels.

[thanyaktm]

Listen to your speech ! It is so easy in term of speaking English you are the first person in my life who speak English perfectly I’m not a native speaking but so easy to listen to you ! I hope they find the new drug soon for all of us Thanks so much god bless you.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[odeleya]

My grandma has arthritis I think it's rheumatoid. Whenever she sees me cracking my knuckles or neck she always tells me not to when I told her that there's proof that cracking knuckles can't cause arthritis. It really does feel good especially when writing a lot.

[danmcn]

I'm confused. At 2:22 he says that Uric Acid precipitates out of the blood into the feet because the feet are generally at a lower temperature than the rest of the body. Later on, he says that treatment for a flare up should consist of applying ice to the feet. Wouldn't the lower temperature of the ice cause even more precipitation of Uric Acid into the joints of the foot?

[mikenewbry]

Are blood tests necessary to get an official diagnosis? What if I have the described joint pain but not the hotness and swelling? Could it still be gout?

[sangeethavijayaraj]

Hello my husband is getting this attack for the fourth time in last 3 years. Usually subsided in 5 days. This time it's longer almost 10days. Swelling isn't down yet. On zyloric 100mg. X-ray is normal. Uric acid is 5. Still not feeling better.

[danjohansen]

I got gout attack right now in my left toe.this is number 6 day now, and today is worse, the pain not stop the last 8 hour.
I started have gout 10myears ago, and got it in my right toe. That toe i had surgery because og a bonion i got because of the urinacid.
Its been 4 years without attack.
My big quistion is. Does the acid build up over many month before a attack comes?
If that a yes then i understand why i got now. I been drinking and eathing worse the last 10month a gain 22pound.

[Ivellios]

Recently a coworker was diagnosed with this... he said that it felt like his toe was broken again. Since I never broke a bone, he clarified by stating it felt like getting hit by a hammer... every time you take a step. He had a drastic change of diet, including dropping his favorite drink for water. It's helping because he hasn't had a problem since.

[TheDanishMaleNurse]

Fun fact: in the Danish healthcare system gout changes diagnosis name depending on where it hit
In the big toe: podagra
Ind the knee: genagra
Every other place: urinsyregigt (urin acid arthritis)

[jacqf]

both my parents get it, and i had my first attack (never officially diagnosed) when i was about 14. only have then rarely (thank god), maybe once a year or 2. almost always in one ankle or the other, occais big toe. find it oftens happens after i have been on my feet all day and walking alot and not drinking enough water. luckily nsaids and rest usually do it for me, but will get bruised/itchy sensation for 2-3 days afterwards.

[Marie-Artistic_]

I have a serious question. I just started seeing a new family doctor. He did blood and urine tests. He said I have gout. To my surprise I don't have flare ups and had my blood drawn a few times before and I was not told I had gout. Could the lab be wrong? Could it start before I see the effects? I'm confused Dr.

[ryann]

Anytime I have a flare up I eat strawberries, lots of them. Within hours my symptoms will be 90% gone and I'm good as new in the morning

[raumarcananes]

My god I'm 20 yo yet i have arthritis both my feets and knees hurts so much because of addiction of softdrinks(Coke, pepsi etc.)

[MikeTrieu]

Hey, name the other medications at the end. I'm really surprised that a doctor didn't mention allopurinol at all in conjunction with gout.

[FunGuyFruits]

Gout is hell. I have a high tolerance to pain. When I was suicidal I’d burn myself and that’s nothing compared to gout. When you wake up because you’re crying that’s pain. The only worse pain I’ve ever had was mersa

[deanmcveigh]

Does anyone else get very very tired with gout? Can’t get enough sleep it’s horrible