NUR 229 Lecture 3: Gout
Document Summary
It"s a type of arthritis due to the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. This causes uric acid crystals to form in the joints and the patient will experience severe pain, inflammation, redness, and limited mobility. The patient has issues with high uric acid levels in the body because: the patient is producing too much uric acid or not excreting it normally. Sharp needle-like urate crystals form around the joints causing intense inflammation along with pain and redness. It tends to most commonly occur in the big toe, but can affect the fingers, elbow, knee, small toes, wrist. Diet management and losing weight plays a role in managing gout attacks. It is a waste product created from the purine breakdown during digestion. It enters the blood stream and is filtered through the kidneys and excreted out in the urine.
