Gout and Arthritis
Gout is considered to be a form of arthritis since it involves the build up of crystals in the joints. Everyone usually refers to it as a “particularly painful” kind of arthritis. I can agree with that!
Gout results from the buildup of monosodium urate crystals, needle-like crystals inflaming the joints. The inflamed joints are extremely painful and swollen.
This disease can easily be mistaken for another form of arthritis that is appropriately named pseudogout. However, pseuodgout is the result of a build up of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joints, not the monosodium urate crystals.
A blood test can tell the difference, even if the bodily appearance is similar. You might wonder how important it is to tell them apart.
Even though the pain of the two kinds of arthritis can be much the same, the treatment for each of these can be different so it is useful to have a correct diagnosis.
Of the two diseases gout is considered to be the most responsive to diet and has its own drugs that are used to alleviate the symptoms.
Even though gout sometimes is hereditary, I am the only one in my family to have it. My sister does have rheumatoid arthritis, so I may not be as alone in my condition I thought when I first learned about my gout.
I have been learning more than I ever wanted to know about this disease as I try to live with it. Each of us has to do our own experimentation with the treatments available to find our own freedom from gout pain.
Posted by admin / About Gout
