People often don’t know much about gout, so they may not know the beginning symptoms of it when they get them.
They also probably don’t know to rely on symptoms from their doctor because they may think it’s just arthritis or old age creeping in.
After all, it is just a little joint pain, right?
Defining Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis but, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, it’s caused by an overload of uric acid in the blood. That primarily happens because of foods the patient eats.
Foods full of purines will cause an increase in uric acid. There is no cure but there is treatment to relieve symptoms.
The First Symptom
One big difference in gout and rheumatoid arthritis is in the symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis can start in any joint but typically begins in the knees, hands, or back.
Gout usually starts in the toes, specifically the big toe. It can also start with pain in the ankles, wrists and fingers.
The other major difference between gout and RA is in the onset and sudden pain. Rheumatoid arthritis starts out with a little pain here and there and worsens over time and hurts more with certain activities like lifting.
It could be in joints that were previously damaged and it tends to hurt more during damp or cold weather.
Gout comes as a sudden, intense pain seemingly out of nowhere. It isn’t associated with activity or the weather. The joint is red and tender. It hurts to touch it. Painkillers don’t help it either like they relieve RA pain.
Getting Tested
Those who experience this kind of pain should tell their doctor. Their physician will perform several tests like a blood test, an ultrasound and a joint fluid test to diagnose.
He or she will prescribe medications and dietary changes to reduce symptoms.
You will need to reduce things like red and organ mets, scallops, tuna, beer and sweetened fruit juices and
replace them with foods like beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
