Youâve probably heard many people say they experience joint pain. The thing is, most people arenât even aware of the cause of their joint inflammation. And because of that, they arenât able to get treated on time, which leads to lifelong pain. It could either be Gout or Arthritis. The two conditions are so similar that people often misdiagnose them. However, it’s important to know the differences between Gout vs Arthritis to effectively treat your pain.
Both Gout and Arthritis are inflammatory disorders, but their causes and the areas they affect are different. The two of them are orthopedic diseases that mostly affect the bones and joints. They are equally painful and hence can often be mistaken for each other. Of course, that is because both cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints that hinder your day-to-day life. Much like insulin-dependent diabetes, Gout and Arthritis are caused by their specific agents. Knowing what they are, their specific symptoms, etc, will allow you to treat the problem early on. Here is everything you need to know about Gout vs. Arthritis.
What is Gout?
It is a condition in which a person experiences sudden bouts of severe pain and swelling. It is characterized by the formation of uric acid crystals inside and around the joints. It most commonly occurs in the joints of the big toe of your foot. The condition juggles through four stages depending on the extent of inflammation and pain. These are namely: asymptomatic hyperuricemia, acute gouty arthritis, intercritical gout, and chronic tophaceous gout.
Symptoms of Gout
The symptoms specific to gout include:
â Asymmetrical Pain: Though it usually initially occurs in the big toe, the pain can travel to various locations. Such as ankles, knees, and wrists or the big toe of the other foot.
â Gout Flare Fever: Sometimes, the pain can be so intense that the body reacts to it by causing a fever.
â The Tophi Lumps: People with chronic gout develop lumps in the affected areas. These are tiny concentrations of uric acid crystals
Causes and Risk Factors
Gout is caused mainly by hyperuricemia. This happens when there is too much uric acid in the body, which is unable to break it down. Your body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines. Which are found in your body and the foods you eat? When there is too much uric acid in the body, uric acid crystals can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body.
Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing hyperuricemia. These may include having certain conditions like hypertension, diabetes, poor kidney function, or certain medications like diuretics. It is also risky if you consume too much alcohol or foods high in fructose.
What is Arthritis?
Quite literally, Arthritis translates into the inflammation and swelling of joints. Itâs more of an umbrella term and is associated with more than 100 diseases. Not just swelling, but it is also characterized by one or two joints becoming tender as well.
Did you know? Authorities on the disease also state that this type of inflammation can affect other organs as well. Such as eyes, skin, and even the heart. If a person suffers from arthritis, itâs important to pinpoint exactly what kind of arthritis the patient is suffering from. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are among the most common afflictions of this disease.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
The symptoms that are specific to arthritis and its types include:
â Swelling of Joints: The type of joint inflammation specific to arthritis includes redness and heat concentrated in the affected areas.
â Symmetrical Pain: For example, in Rheumatoid arthritis, pain travels and affects both sides of the body. If the pain is in the upper part of the body, itâll steadily progress to and affect the lower part of the body next.
â Stiffness: In Osteoarthritis, for instance, pain is followed by stiffness in the affected joints. This stiffness hinders a personâs daily routine due to the loss of some of the elasticity of the joints.
Causes and Risk Factors
The two most common forms of arthritis are caused in different ways. Osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the jointâs cartilage, the flexible connective tissue that protects your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when your immune system attacks the synovial membrane, the outer lining of the joints.
Arthritis also has certain risk factors that you need to look out for. Such as your family history, age, any previous joint injury or your gender and the like.
Gout Vs Arthritis: The Differences at a Glance
| Gout | Arthritis |
| Happens due to high levels of uric acid which can accumulate in the tissues without being properly filtered. | Depends on the type. For instance, Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory problem. |
| The affected areas are usually joints of the toes, ankles, knees, and the digit fingers. | The affected areas most commonly include the fingers, ankles, elbows, and others. |
| Pain usually starts in one place on one side of the body. | Pain can happen simultaneously in multiple areas at the same time. |
| Pain flares have no specific pattern in their attack. | Pain flares usually occur in the morning. |
| It can sometimes cause kidney stones due to uric acid crystals accumulating. | Interferes with the usual workings of joint areas. |
| It can cause scaly, red, and white skin patches or immune system disorders. | Can cause scaly red and white skin patches or immune system disorders. |
| Overweight bodies are more prone to producing uric acid. | Happens due to high levels of uric acid, which can accumulate in the tissues without being properly filtered. |
| It can cause scaly, red and white skin patches or immune system disorders. | Similar to heart risks, arthritis cases are also more frequent in women than in men. |
Why Should You Know The Difference Between Gout vs Arthritis?
While both Gout and Arthritis cause inflammation and pain, their causes and required treatments are different. Arthritis experts say that Gout can look a lot like Rheumatoid Arthritis and often can be misdiagnosed. Therefore, people must know the difference between the two. So as to avoid a misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. Remember, these are two separate diseases that require separate attention and treatment!
How to Manage Gout and Arthritis – Treatment Plans
Both these inflammatory conditions can be treated with their specific medical plans and self-management strategies.
Treatment for Gout
â For Gout flares, your doctors might prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, or acetaminophen and the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine.
â Changing or stopping medications associated with hyperuricemia, namely diuretics, may also help.
â You can also make a difference by making changes to your lifestyle. You can do so by losing weight and limiting alcohol.
â You might not know, but your diet plays an essential role even in inflammatory diseases. Staple foods such as onions are natural remedies that help lessen the symptoms of Gout. Likewise, the Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha, plays an immense role in the struggle against Gout too. Also, avoid foods high in purines such as red meat, etc, which can cause gout flares. Keep your diet healthy and hearty!
Treatment for Arthritis
â Similarly, for Arthritis, short-term relief for pain and inflammation may include pain relievers. Such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
â At home, pain can be managed by applying a heat pad and a towel-wrapped ice pack for swelling. Some people might even make use of acupuncture for pain relief.
â Arthritis also has certain foods that help reduce its symptoms, such as fish and greens. It works when a diet specializing in anti-inflammatory properties is paired with the prescribed medications. Itâll curb the symptoms sooner and faster! Especially for women, a healthy diet matters a lot because they tend to neglect their health due to household responsibilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Gout vs Arthritis are painful joint conditions. They differ in their root causes. Gout results from uric acid accumulation, whereas arthritis is a broad term encompassing various joint inflammations. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management, tailored to each condition’s distinct characteristics. Thereâs no need to be afraid. Really! As long as you take proper precautions and maintain your visits to the doctor, you’ll have nothing to worry about!
Also Read: Women must take care of their health, here are ten health and fitness tips for women that will help them to take care of their health.
