Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis and a painful condition affecting the joints. The first attack is usually on the big toe while the other joints such as the knee, ankle and wrist are also affected in chronic cases.
Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the synovial fluid of the joint and high levels of uric acid in the blood. This condition usually affects middle aged individuals and typically affects men.
The risk of gout in the wrist and also the other joints also affects post-menopausal women. A symptom of gout in the wrist include severe debilitating pain and swelling of the wrist but it can be managed with medications, dietary and lifestyle changes.
Causes of gout in the wrist
Factors that can cause gout attacks include the following:
- The individual is between 30-50 years of age.
- A history of gout in the family
- An excessive consumption of alcohol
- Eating foods rich in purines such as red meat, mushrooms, asparagus, and anchovies
- The individual currently suffers from kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension
- Taking medications for cancer
- A skin disease such as psoriasis
- Any form of trauma to the wrist
- Being obese
- On a crash diet
- Stress
Symptoms
- A sudden and severe pain can be felt in the wrist joint, and only one wrist is affected at a time but sometimes it can affect both the wrist.
- Redness and swelling will develop on the wrist area
- Tender when touched
- Difficulty when using the hands due to the swollen wrist
- Restricted wrist movement
- A gouty tophi may occur under the skin area of the wrist
- Pain in the wrist can last for days or weeks and reduces gradually until the next attack.
Treatment and home remedies
- Conservative treatment of gout of the wrist is to take anti-inflammatory medications and analgesics which works by lowering the level of uric acid in the body.
- Maintain and follow a low purine diet in order to minimize the gout attacks.
- Apply an ice pack in order to help reduce the soreness and swelling. Avoid adding extra strain on the affected wrist and avoid any work using the affected hands.
- Drink plenty of water to help in eliminating excess uric acid from the body through the urine. It is also recommended to avoid eating foods that are high in purine such as red meat, fish, mushrooms, seafood, vegetables such as cauliflower, lentils, spinach, oats as well as organ meats (liver and kidney).
- Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks since it increases the likelihood of gout attacks.
Other natural remedies
- Take vitamin C on a daily basis to help minimize the level of uric acid. It should be at least 500 mg of vitamin C per day.
- Take cherries about half a cup, either eaten or blended and diluted with water to create a juice. Cherries help in lowering the uric acid level of the body.
FACT CHECK
http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-conditions/Gout-and-Pseudogout
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/gout-attacks-at-home#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897