Gout and Arthritis

Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Differences
Most people fail to understand the difference between gout and rheumatoid arthritis because both cause pain, stiffness of the joints and swelling, but there is a whole world of difference between the two. Both conditions have the ability to cause disability and to greatly hamper the quality of one’s life, but is vital to know how to tell the difference between them so that you embark on treatment, you will be treating the right condition.
Gout is a chronic condition caused by the crystallization of excess uric acid which then gets deposited on the joints. For most cases, the condition primarily affects the big toe where it causes pain, redness and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is considered as an auto immune type of arthritis where instead of the pain, redness and stiffness of joints being caused by the crystallization of excess uric acid, the body mistakenly attacks its own joints to cause the symptoms.
Is it possible to have gout and RA at the same time?
It is possible for one to have both gout and rheumatoid arthritis at the same time. Gout comes about by due to high levels of uric acid in the body which is normally occasioned by dietary factors. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune condition, and you eat diets with high uric acid content, then it is possible to have gout attacks at the same time.
Additionally, the causes of gout can also contribute to obesity, which will lead to more weight on the joints thus increasing the pain already occasioned by RA. The added stress on the joints can make the RA become worse when the symptoms of gout also sets in. When you are suffering from gout and RA, therefore, the most important thing is to maintain a healthy diet and also keep your weight on check.
Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes and risk factors
For rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system accidentally attacks the joints to cause the symptoms associated with RA. Some of the risk factors for RA include being over 40 years old, coming from a family with a history of RA, being a female, being overweight, exposure to environmental pollutants and smoking and drinking amongst others.
Gout on the other hand is caused when excess uric acid get crystalized in the body and get deposited at the joints, especially the big toe. Some of the known risk factors for this condition include being obese or overweight, eating diets with high uric content, failure to treat certain conditions such as hypertension, coming from a family with a history of gout sufferers, being male above the age of 40 years, undergoing an organ transplant, and taking certain medications.
Gout and RA: The Prevalence
It is estimated that about 1.5 million adults in the United States suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, with the prevalence being higher in women than in men. Internationally, it is believed that RA has a prevalence of about 0.4 to 1.2 percent — this is according to 2015 statistics.
Gout has a prevalence of between 1 and 4% internationally, with the prevalence in the United States standing at 3.9%. It should be noted that men are at higher risk of developing the condition of gout compared to women. Additionally, people who have undergone any organ transplant also stand a higher chance of suffering from gout.
Gout and RA: The symptoms
The common signs and symptoms of gout include-:
· Intense pain at the joints, especially on the big toe
· Lingering discomfort once the pain is gone
· Limited range of movement on the affected joints
· Redness, inflammation and tenderness on the affected areas
The common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand include-:
· Swelling, tenderness and pain at the joints
· Stiffness in the joints during the morning, normally lasts for about half an hour or more
· Affects more than one joint
· Multiple joints on the same side of the body may display the same symptoms
· Pain and dryness in the eyes, and sometimes sensitivity to light
· Gum irritation in the mouth, with occasional dryness
· Small lumps may appear beneath the skin
· Blood vessels may get inflamed
In the case of gout, if fever develops and the joints begin to feel hot when touched, then a doctor should be consulted straight away. The same should also be the case if the pains become severe and lasts for a long time. Pain medication may be prescribed under such circumstances.
Other complications associated with rheumatoid arthritis
For gout sufferers, the other complications likely to be encountered include frequent flares which can lead to bone erosion and damage, advanced gout attacks that comes with lots of pain, and kidney stones which can cause extensive damage to the kidneys.
Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand will come with increased risks for conditions such as rheumatoid nodules, osteoporosis, abnormal body composition, heart and lung problems, dry mouth and dry eyes and lymphoma amongst other conditions. If the condition is not managed in good time and in the right manner, these complications can get severe in a short time and lead to a great deal of pain.
Gout and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis for gout involves a joint fluid test where the fluid from the joint is extracted using a needle and then tested to find out the levels of uric acid. X-ray imaging can also be used to determine that the inflammation caused is not due to any other source apart from the gout. Additionally, dual energy CT scans and ultrasound may also be used for the detection of urate crystals in the suspect sites.
Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand may involve a variety of tests including going through the patient’s medical history as well as that of their families. The blood may also be tested for biomarkers such as the rheumatoid factor which are normally common in persons suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Physical examination and imaging tests such ultra sound and x-rays can also be used to check for damages occurring on the joints.
There is a wide variety of treatment options for RA. These include various medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with pain relief and reduce inflammation, disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs to slow down the progression of the disease and finally the use of biological agents to stop the immune system from targeting own joints. In some occasions, surgery and physical therapy can also be used as remedies for RA in instances when the range of motion of the affected joints need to be increased or the replacement of joints that have been severely damaged as a result of the condition.
Treatment for gout may include pain relievers as well as certain drugs formulated to stop the crystallization of uric acid and increase its removal from the body. Lifestyle changes are also encouraged such as avoiding too much consumption of alcohol, taking sugary drinks, reducing the consumption of high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising on a regular basis.
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