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Gout – Diagnosis, stages, and prevention

Gout – Diagnosis, stages, and prevention

Gout or gouty arthritis is a form of arthritis that commonly occurs in the joint located at the base of one’s big toe. It can also be seen in other joints and results in swelling, sudden pain, and tenderness. It can happen to anyone and occur at any moment, even suddenly in the middle of the night. The good news is that it can be prevented and treated.

Diagnosis of gout

Multiple medical tests can be used to determine if one has this form of arthritis. Below is a list of the most common tests.

  • Joint fluid test
    The doctor uses a needle to collect fluid from one’s joint and test the same under a microscope. If urate crystals are found in the fluid then they have the condition.
  • Blood test
    For gout detection, the doctor may suggest a blood test. The amount of creatinine and uric acid present in one’s blood indicates if they have it or not. However, the result of the blood test may not always be conclusive.
  • X-ray imaging
    If one has joint inflammation, the doctor can use X-ray imaging to determine if it is caused by any other reason or gouty arthritis.

Ultrasound

A musculoskeletal ultrasound test is used to determine if one has gout or any other form of arthritis. The test detects the presence of urate crystals in their joints, which indicates if they have gouty arthritis.

Stages of gout

Gouty arthritis has four stages of progression:

  • Stage 1
    The uric acid level starts to rise in one’s blood and crystals start to form all around their joints. The uric acid level starts to get high when their kidney cannot filter it out properly. The first sign of gouty arthritis often occurs in one’s feet.
  • Stage 2
    This is when gout reaches an acute stage. One will experience unexpected and sudden pain in the affected joints. One’s big toe, ankle, or other joints will start to swell and become red. When they experience the signs for the first time, it is essential to visit a doctor for an initial check-up.
  • Stage 3
    After stage 2, one may not experience any suffering from gouty arthritis for a while. However, that does not mean that they are cured. They must continue the treatment during this period. However, the pain and swelling generally come back within a year.
  • Stage 4
    During this stage, the condition becomes more chronic. It will result in persistent joint pain and one’s joints can get damaged too. However, this stage only occurs if their gouty arthritis is left untreated for a long time.

Prevention of gout

Preventing gout is possible even if it runs in one’s family. What they need to do is control their diet. The food items that can increase uric acid in one’s blood are meat, bacon, sardines, yeast, and mussels. One must avoid them as much as possible; they must also avoid the consumption of alcohol as it can result in gouty arthritis.

It is suggested that one visits their doctor for regular physical check-ups. This way, the early signs of gout can be detected and treated before it can become more serious.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of ADHD

ADHD, short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, affects children worldwide, and this also often carries on into their adulthood. Some of the different problems faced by kids suffering from ADHD include sustaining attention for a long time, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity. There might be other problems associated with ADHD, like low self-esteem, low grades in school, and difficulty in keeping up with relationships. More often than not, symptoms of ADHD are seen to have decreased with age. However, there are cases wherein ADHD symptoms never subside. Levels of ADHDThere are three different levels or stages at which ADHD can affect individuals. They are:Predominantly inattentive ADHDThis level of ADHD may be related to missing details very easily and getting distracted often. Also, one may get bored very quickly. One has difficulty in processing new information, and there is also the tendency to not listen properly. One might not be able to follow directions very clearly and also lose things like pencils or papers. It has been observed that girls are more likely to get inattentive ADHD than boys. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHDThis is mostly associated with symptoms like restlessness and difficulty with sitting still. Kids suffering from hyperactive-impulsive ADHD have a tendency to talk consistently, and it’s less likely that they will engage in quiet activities. They may also utter inappropriate comments or speak out of turn. If students suffer from hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, it might lead to disruption in the class.Combination ADHDWhen the symptoms do not necessarily fall in any one of the aforementioned categories, it is referred to as combination ADHD. One can showcase inattentive as well as impulsive behavior. Combination ADHD interferes in a great way with the performance of a student in school as well as in social circles and within the family.Diagnosis of ADHDThe diagnosis of ADHD has been categorically defined. There must be at least six symptoms of inattentiveness or those of hyperactivity for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD. One can also be diagnosed if one has six symptoms as a combination of both. The other necessary points are the following:The child must be displaying the symptoms for as many as six monthsThe child should start showing the symptoms by the age of 12 yearsThe symptoms must be visible in two different settings – school and home. This is done in order to ensure that the symptoms are not caused by particular settings or teachers.Symptoms make social, academic, and occupational life difficultSymptoms are independent of another disorderPrevention of ADHDThere are some fairly simple ways to avoid ADHD in kids. Walking kids to school, starting the kid’s day with a healthy breakfast, a short break after school, giving kids a quiet place for homework, and taking your kids for walks, hikes, and the like are some of the ways one can prevent ADHD. In addition, another action that is very necessary is regularly talking to children with attentiveness to note any changes in behavior.There is currently no treatment available for ADHD. However, there are several ways to give relief from the symptoms. Early diagnosis in ADHD can lead to a big difference in terms of overall outcome, as the suppression of symptoms may involve both medications as well as behavioral changes.

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