Does your chronic knee pain prevent you from enjoying a sound sleep? You feel that it is a common problem of several individuals. You think of overlooking this condition to wait for a natural cure. However, do not always assume that the pain will go away naturally and never come back. The pain may indicate the symptom of gout in the knee.
Your knees will become stiffer. You will feel burning pain, and the concerned site may feel warm to your touch. Other symptoms of gout include-
- Shiny skin and a different skin color around your knee
- Tenderness to the joint that cannot bear pressure and weight
- Itchy, peeling skin, and flaking problems
Can you get gout in your knee?
Gout may strike in several joints, including your knees. The condition may initially attack your big toes, and then the symptoms will spread to your knees, ankles, and lower spine.
Although gout may affect both knees, you will feel it strongly in one of your knees. You may not get a prior signal of the condition. At midnight, when you have a peaceful sleep, gout can hit your joints. You may feel pain in fingers, knees, elbows, ankles, and thumbs.
You can never anticipate the time when gout attacks you. The right treatment will prevent inflammation and pain- the common symptoms of gout.
Does the knee gout problem last long?
Gout flares may last for a number of hours. However, your knee pain can continue for some weeks and days. Some patients have a single flare-up, whereas others have multiple times in a year.
Gout is one of the chronic issues, and you cannot find an instant solution for it. It needs treatment to get rid of the condition. Dietary adjustments and medications will make a difference in the condition.
However, while you have left the condition untreated, it can result in other complications. Inflammation from gout will permanently damage your knee joint. In due course, you will have a tophi- a condition when uric acid crystals become a lump. You may find these lumps around the knee. The painful lumps will let the part swell and become tender.
Suggested article: How Long Does A Gout Attack Last? – All You Need To Know
Causes
Gout is the result of a higher level of uric acid. Your body naturally turns out 66% of uric acid. While your body starts processing purines, it causes an increase in the uric acid level. Your kidneys help in controlling the acid with proper filtration of the blood.
Uric acid is beneficial when your body maintains a proper level. But, the presence of a high amount of acid can cause hyperuricemia. Thus, you will have this issue when your kidneys fail to filter out the acid.
Due to hyperuricemia, there is a formation of microscopic uric acid crystals. Your immune system considers that these uric acid crystals are foreign particles, as they cause inflammation.
Suggested article: 15 Triggers of Gout – What Causes Gout?
Symptoms and diagnosis
You might have felt that gout is the cause of your knee pain. In this situation, you must consult a physician and let him check the symptoms. It is easy to diagnose and treat gouts, while the symptoms are not complicated. Thus, when you notice redness, swelling, and other symptoms, you have to consult physicians.
During the consultation, your healthcare provider will ask you some questions about medications, diet, and family history of this condition. It will help in preventing other causes of gout symptoms, including rheumatoid arthritis.
Blood tests are also essential to analyze the uric acid level. However, some patients with a high amount of uric acid do not suffer from gout. Interestingly, other patients with normal uric acid levels have developed gout. That is why your healthcare provider will need to do some other tests for proper diagnosis.
A CT, X-ray, or scan will be effective in identifying other potential causes of inflammation in your knee. Based on these diagnostic tests, your physician will decide on the treatment. Ultrasound technology is also reliable to detect the presence of uric acid crystals in the knees.
Another method for diagnosis is the joint fluid test. The lab professionals will use a needle to take a sample of your knee joint fluid. Using a microscope, they will find the uric acid crystals.
They may also ask you to consult rheumatologists for proper treatment.
Suggested article: The ULTIMATE Guide to Know Everything about Gout Symptoms
Is the gout problem much common?
One of the biggest scientific facts is that untreated gout will spread all over your body.
For instance, research-based studies have found that 50% of patients have noticed their first gout symptoms in big toes. As the gout condition gets worsened, 35% of patients have noticed gout flares in the knees.40% of patients have found the symptoms in their ankles and midfoot. Some patients also have detected gouts in their elbows, fingers, and wrists.
However, the first gout flare may not be noticed in the knees. The ultrasound scanning system can reveal the condition of the foot.
Foods to eat to prevent gout
It is good to take some preventive steps by having a gout-friendly diet every day. You have to include low-purine foods in your diet. Make sure that the amount of purines per 3.5 ounces are not more than 100 mg.
Low-purine foods for patients with gout:
- Vegetables – Peas, potatoes, mushrooms, and dark green leafy veggies
- Fruits – Cherries are best for preventing gout attacks by controlling inflammation and reducing uric acid levels.
- Legumes – Beans, tofu, soybeans, and lentils
- Oats, barley, brown rice, and other grains
- Low-fat dairy products
- Eggs
- Plant-based oils like coconut, canola, and olive oil
- Green tea and coffee
- Spices and herbs
While eating chicken, pork, lamb, fish, and beef, you must maintain a moderate amount. These foods contain some amount of purines, and you must limit the consumption to 4-6 ounces.
How does physical activity help you in preventing gout?
Although diet is important, physical activities are vital to maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight is one of the factors contributing to the development of gout. For patients who have serious gout conditions and have joint damages in their feet, it is important to do a low-impact workout. The physical workout and proper diet will work together to keep you safe from gout.
When gout has attacked the lower part of your body, you may try to get off your feet. Swelling, redness, heat, and tenderness in your joints are some symptoms of the attack. You will find swelling in your knees, ankle, and feet.
Other lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of gout-
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Avoid high fructose syrup and fruit sugar
- Maintain a moderate bodyweight
- Take vitamin C supplements
- Keep away from protein-rich and low-carbohydrate foods
- Eat a healthy diet to reduce diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure
Natural remedies for your knee gout
- Consume cherry juice regularly to prevent gout in your knees and other parts.
- The dietary mineral magnesium is good for gout, as its deficiency can worsen the chronic inflammatory condition.
- Ginger is another to control inflammatory issues, including gout.
- You may also increase the consumption of celery seeds.
- Dandelion tea is best for your kidney health.
Who has a higher risk of gout?
Those who drink too much have a higher chance of suffering from gout. Moreover, patients who take antibiotics and have undergone surgeries must be careful and take steps to prevent gout.
Gout also occurs with some cancers and tumors. There is a connection between gout problems and other issues, including enzyme deficiencies, lead poisoning, and kidney disorders. Moreover, gout can turn up with psoriasis. Patients with transplanted organs take medications, which may cause gout. Symptoms of gout can pass down in your relatives. In most cases, patients complain of repeated gout attacks due to the uncontrolled uric acid level.
Suggested articles:
– Gout in Hands – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
– Gout in the Ankle – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
– Walking with Gout – Should I Walk with Gout?
– Gout in Heel – What Are the Symptoms and Treatments?
– 13 Best Home Remedies for Gout – Natural Treatment For Gout
– Gout in Neck – Can you Get Gout in Your Neck?
– Gout in Elbow – Can You Get Gout in Your Elbow?
The Gout Eraser™: The all-natural guide for permanent gout removal
The Gout Eraser™ is a short, to the point guide on how to reverse gout symptoms without ever leaving your home. The guide goes into extensive detail on exactly what you need to do to safely, effectively and permanently get rid of gout, and you are GUARANTEED to see dramatic improvements in days if not hours.
To learn more about The Gout Eraser™ system, check out the following free video presentation: The Gout Eraser™
