DR. CORA LIM
MEDICAL INSIDER
Gouty Arthritis
(Part 2)
We wrote the first discussion of Gouty Arthritis in our
issue last week.
Now, we will discuss the Complications of Gout. These
complications include the following:
Tophi – these are clumps of uratecrystals that harden
under the skin. They can form on most joints and
cartilage including your fingers, hands, feet, and/or
ankles. Tophi also commonly form on the ears. Tophi
may not cause pain, but can damage your joints, bones,
and cartilage if left untreated.
Joint Damage and Deformity – This is another
complication of gout. When you have chronic gout, you
will have swelling in your joints regularly. Chronic
inflammation and tophi can lead to permanent joint
damage, deformity, and stiffness. In the worst cases of
chronic gout, you may need surgery to fix joint damage,
or replace joints.
Kidney Stones – If you have gouty arthritis, you are
at risk of getting kidney stones, since urate crystals can
build up in your urinary tract and form stones.
Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure – This kidney
disease and kidney failure may also be another
complication of gout. Kidney stones made from
uratecrystals can build up in your kidneys, and can
cause damage and scars. This kidney damage from
urate crystals is thought to lead to kidney disease over
time, especially if gout is left untreated and may even
lead to hemodialysis.
Psychological and Emotional Problems Chronic
gout may also cause chronic and sometimes constant
pain. Because of this, gout may affect your ability to
walk, work, and carry out normal tasks. Living with pain
can be emotionally distressing.
The DIET of somebody who has gout arthritis may be
classified into low, moderate and high diet.
LOW: No Limitation
Non-Alcoholic Beverages, tea, fruits, breads, grains,
macaroni, cheese, eggs, milk products, gelatin, cereal
products, sugar, tomatoes &green vegetables (including
lettuce & excluding vegetables listed below)
MODERATE: May eat occasionally
Asparagus, meat, bouillon, chicken, crab, duck, ham,
kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, mushroom, lobster,
oysters, pork, shrimp, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli,
oatmeal
HIGH: Best to avoid
Alcoholic Beverages, meat extracts, liver, kidney,
pancreas, brains, anchovies (dilis, bagoong), sardines,
herring (tamban, tawilis, tunsoy, lapad, silinyasis),
mackerel (alumahan, hasa-hasa, tangigue), mussels
(tahong), sprout (toge), bacon, codfish, scallops, trout,
haddock, veal, venison, turkey, patis, yeast, chocolates
& nuts