GOUT

Gout flares often begin in your big toe or a lower limb. Pain and inflammation occur when too much uric acid crystallizes and deposits in the joints.

Symptoms of gout include severe pain, redness, and swelling in joints, often the big toe. Attacks can come suddenly, often at night.
During an acute attack, anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve pain and shorten the length of the attack. Patients with chronic gout can use behavioral modification such as diet, exercise, and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of such attacks. Patients with chronic gout are often treated with medications such as colchicine.
The most common ocular abnormality described in patients with gout is RED EYES. Gout can cause other ocular surface abnormalities, such as tophi deposition, subconjunctival transparent vesicles and hemorrhage, and vascular changes. These features have important clinical significance in early detection of the gout and prevention of eye injury.
Author
Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch Author and Blogger

You Might Also Enjoy...

Pickleball-Related Eye Injuries

Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise due to the sport’s rapid growth in the United States, especially among adults aged 50 and older

Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing occurs when a person breathes primarily through the mouth rather than the nose, often due to nasal obstruction or other health issues

ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately respiratory failure.

Common Hormones and Their Nicknames

Many hormones also have scientific abbreviations and are grouped by chemical classes (e.g., peptide, steroid, amine). The nicknames often come from their most prominent and publicized effects on health or behavior.

EYES are a WINDOW to the KIDNEYS

"Eyes are a window to the kidneys" is a medically relevant concept, suggesting that eye conditions, particularly those affecting the retina and its microvasculature, can indicate the presence and progression of kidney disease and other systemic conditions

Erysipelas vs. Cellulitis

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the skin's upper layers and lymphatic vessels. It is a more superficial infection than cellulitis and is often called "St. Anthony's Fire" due to its fiery, red appearance. Cellulitis involves deeper tissues.