Gout is one of the categories of chronic non-communicable diseases. This disease is a condition that can cause unbearable pain symptoms in one or more joints, swelling, and most often occurs in the big toe area.
The Indonesian Rheumatology Association stated that in Indonesia the prevalence of gout is not known with certainty and varies quite a lot from one region to another. A study in Central Java found the prevalence of gouty arthritis was 1.7%, while in Bali the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 8.5%.
Gout attacks can occur suddenly, often in the middle of the night with a burning feeling in the big toe. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can occur in any joint. Other joints that are frequently affected are the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists and fingers. The pain may be most severe in the first four to 12 hours after it begins.
There are several factors that can trigger an increase in uric acid levels in a person's blood, including:
- Having a family with gout.
- Recently had an injury or surgery.
- Often eat foods with high purine content, such as red meat, animal offal, and some types of seafood (eg anchovies, sardines, shellfish, or tuna).
- Often consume alcoholic beverages and drinks high in sugar.
- Frequent use of drugs and some chemotherapy drugs.
- Have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome disorders, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, leukemia, anemia, sleep apnea, hypertension, and obesity.
Gout does not directly cause death, but if left continuously will cause complications that result in death. Complications that may arise are heart disease, kidney disease (kidney stones or damage to kidney function), and decreased quality of life and work productivity due to pain, disability due to joint contractures and increased medical costs. Let's keep the diet and prevent gout as early as possible!
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897
https://reumatologi.or.id/apakah-nyeri-sendi-saya-akibat-asam-urat-kenali-gout/
https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/penyakit-asam-urat
https://www.alodokter.com/rematik-asam-urat
Pictures sources:
https://flexfreeclinic.com/infokesehatan/detail/270?title=gout-arthritis