[Major Points] 
  1. Gout is a disease caused by abnormal purine metabolism or decreased uric acid excretion.
  2. A common symptom is joint pain.
  3. Common medications used for treatment include pain relievers and uric acid-lowering drugs.
  4. Always take your medication as prescribed by your doctor. Please do not stop taking it on your own.
What is "Gout"? 
Gout is hyperuricemia caused by abnormal purine metabolism or decreased uric acid excretion. When the uric acid concentration is too high, it forms crystals and deposits in the joint cavity, causing redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the joint. Gout is a type of arthritis with a sudden onset of pain, often occurring in the middle of the night or early morning. The pain comes and goes quickly, like a gust of wind, hence the name.
 
What are the symptoms of gout?
About nine out of ten people have their big toe joint as the first attack site, and others, such as the dorsum of the foot, ankle, knee, and wrist joint, may occur.
  1. Abnormal uric acid in the blood: In adults, it is mostly caused by insufficient uric acid excretion, and in very few cases, it is caused by excessive uric acid production. In children, it is usually due to congenital abnormalities in purine metabolism genes.
  2. Acute gouty arthritis: It often occurs in men aged 30 to 50 who are overweight and consume excessive alcohol. Symptoms include sudden redness, swelling, warmth, fever, and severe pain in the big toe joint, making walking difficult. Other toes or the knee joint may also be affected.

  3. Chronic tophaceous gout: If gout is not well controlled, uric acid can form crystals in the joints, under the skin, in the ears, or in internal organs. These crystals form tophi, which can cause joint swelling, permanent joint damage, and even impair kidney function.

The above symptoms are not necessarily gout. If you have the above symptoms, please go to the Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology Clinic for medical treatment. 
 
How to treat gout?
  1. During an acute gout attack, doctors will prescribe the following medications:
    1.  Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like Naproxen, Ibuprofen, and Celebrex can reduce inflammation and effectively relieve symptoms (Further reading : Care of Patient with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).
    2. Steroids: It has anti-inflammatory effects and can relieve the discomfort caused by acute gout. It is suitable for patients with peptic ulcers or poor kidney function (More information: Care for the Use of Steroids).
    3. Colchicine:Used for relieving acute symptoms and prevention.
  2. When uric acid levels are above 10 mg/dL (uric acid levels in the blood exceeding 10 milligrams per 100 milliliters), and the 24-hour urine uric acid excretion is higher than 1000 milligrams, the consideration of uric acid-lowering medications becomes necessary.

  3.  In the chronic phase, uric acid control is crucial. Common uric acid-lowering medications include Allopurinol, Feburic, Euricon, etc.

How to take care of gout?
  1. Maintain standard weight and waist circumference: If you are overweight, you should lose weight slowly, and don't lose weight quickly or fast, which may increase uric acid and cause gout. It is a healthier way to lose one kilogram per month. In addition, the waist circumference should be measured regularly and kept within the standard range. ( National Health Administration:  the waist circumference, for males ≤90 cm, for females ≤80 cm ).

  2. Exercise is good for health.: Studies have shown that moderate exercise can increase the death risk of patients with hyperuricemia, so patients are advised to exercise moderately.

  3. Maintain proper water replenishment: It is recommended to drink 2000c.c daily. Insufficient water may cause gout attacks. Drinking water in moderation can help reduce gout attacks and prevent the formation of uric acid stones.

  4. Maintain a balanced diet and avoid high-purine foods: 

    1. Carbohydrates: All grains and tubers can be consumed.

    2.  Vegetables and fruits: Most vegetables are allowed, except for heavily dried shiitake mushrooms and seaweed, which should not be eaten in large quantities. There are no restrictions on fruit consumption.

    3. Protein: Reduce the intake of organ meats and seafood (except for sea cucumbers and jellyfish skins).

    4. Dairy: Appropriate supplementation of dairy products can lower uric acid and reduce the incidence of gout

    5. Fats: High-fat foods can inhibit uric acid excretion, so they should be avoided during acute gout attacks.

  5. Alcohol and sugary drinks (such as carbonated drinks and orange juice) will be metabolized into lactic acid in the body, which will affect the excretion of uric acid and increase the formation of uric acid. Therefore, avoiding these drinks, especially beer, is most likely to lead to gout attacks.
 
References
  1. Cha, Y., Lee, J., Choy, W., Lee, J. S., Lee, H. H., & Chae, D.-S. (2024). Pathophysiology and treatment of gout arthritis; including gout arthritis of hip joint: A literature review. Hip & Pelvis, 36(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5371/hp.2024.36.1.1
  2. Parisa, N., Kamaluddin, M. T., Saleh, M. I., & Sinaga, E. (2023). The inflammation process of gout arthritis and its treatment. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 14(3), 166–170. https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_144_23
  3. Terkeltaub, R. (2023). Emerging Urate-lowering drugs and pharmacologic treatment strategies for gout: A narrative review. Drugs, 83(16), 1501–1521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-023-01944-y
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