Gout & arthritis
Gout is a form of arthritis.Gout is a cdd..(crystal depositiondisease). There is usually no mistaking gout for arthritis.Or viceversa.Gout has it’s own symptoms..A true and full blown gout attackis unique.BUT this only applies to early stage gout attacks..usuallybefore any arthritic problems.This is one very good and strong reasonwhy more and more experts like to deal with gout..early on..withdrugs..right now.Deal with this..BEFORE the patient develops otherjoint problems.This waythe gout is basically dealt with/undercontrol..and any arthritic problems can be basically treatedindependantly.Arthritic problems are not usuallysudden/crippling/unrelenting..while gout attacks are not usuallygradual..slow to develop. The problems usually arise when one has had numerous goutattacks..and have not treated them properly..with a uric acid controldrug.The gout attacks may have damaged the joint/area..leading tobasically permanent..unrepairable damage.This is not uncommon.Aperson may then have discomfort..from the joint..because of permanentdamage.Arthritis is known to set in to previously damaged joints.Uricacid deposits are known to attach themselves to a previouslydamaged/rough surface.So we now have a joint that is damaged fromgout..now beset with arthritis..with uric acid deposits..anyirritation from the damaged joint..can call a wbc attack intoplay..while the wbc’s are at it..they may as well..seeing as how theyare there working..get into a bit of a tussle with uric acidcrystals.What basically started as a bit of arthritic pain..can nowbecause of the presence of uric acid crystals end up being a fullblown gout attack.These kind of attacks are extremely difficult foreven experts to deal with.The patient is left sufferring andbewildered..knowing they have not done anything to contribute to agout attack.Often they fiddle around with over the counter med’s forthe arthritic attack..but it won’t go away.Off to theexpert..mayberight to the colchicne..it pretty much only works ongout and is a good test for gout.Sometimes the colchicneworks..hopefully..at least eliminating the gout attack..anddiminishing the pain.Other times..sure the colchicne is dealing withthe gout..but the real problem is the arthritis pain caused by goutdamage.Sometimes another drug..usually a NSAID..often a large dosageis used to deal with the problem.I dont’ agree with thistreatment..because while it is basically an antinflammatory..and cansometimes deal with both the gout and the arthritis at the sametime..this does not deal with the gout..only masking it..
Similar treatments?The medical/scientific community views..prettymuch the genarl viewpoints if you read enough.
Gout can be treated 5-15% with diet..the other 85-95% with a uricacid control drug. Arthritis..diet makes no difference.
At the early stages of gout attacks..and as well as somearthritis..some drugs..mainly NSAIDS will work for both…for somepeople.