Causes
The cause of a gout attack is the excessive accumulation of uric acid in the blood, also known as hyperuricemia. This is usually caused by a diet rich in purine, as well as the consumption of alcoholic and fruit beverages and foods. Among the rarer causes are genetic defects and syndromes with the lack of metabolic enzymes of uric acid.
Drugs and underlying diseases of the kidney or other organs can also lead to hyperuricemia less frequently. A gout attack causes excessive irritation of a joint due to the uric acid and thus the pain occurs, preferably at rest. The triggers here include above all food with a high purine content, massive alcohol consumption, as well as fasting or local hypothermia.
Duration
The duration of an attack of gout is often a few days, depending on its severity. It is preferable that the symptoms occur at rest, typically at night, and are very intense, especially at the beginning. The symptoms can often be easily controlled with rapid treatment.
The symptoms usually subside within one to three days after the first appearance. After that, there is a period without symptoms, which can vary in length depending on the possible triggers for the gout attacks. If no treatment is given or at the beginning of treatment, a new attack of gout may occur.
Attack of gout in the toes
An attack of gout in the toes is the most common manifestation of gout disease. Podagra describes the occurrence of an inflammation of the basic joint of the big toe, furthermore, the ankle joints and joint in the tarsus are often affected. The symptoms often occur at night when the feet are resting. There is severe swelling, which often makes it difficult for the affected person to wear tight shoes. In addition, the restriction of movement and thus temporary immobility also leads to stress.
Therapy for an attack of gout
There are various possibilities of acute therapy for a gout attack. First of all, the affected joint, for example the foot, can be elevated and immobilized. Cooling with the help of an ice pack or a cool footbath also helps with a gout attack, but not in the long term. The pain can be reduced with painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or the pain ointment Voltaren. If it is the second attack of gout, it is also recommended to reduce the uric acid level with appropriate medication while the attack is still present.
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