Gout and Pseudogout are the 2 most common crystal-induced disease of the joint.
As
the name states this is a false
Gout.
Both forms of Gout have similarities in their style of pain and the way the joints swell but they have differing crystal compounds
that find their way into the synovial sacks and cartilage.
The pain is the same, in Gout and Pseudogout, they both cause joint inflammation, pain, heat,
redness of the swelling, chills, can still affect the knees , toes,
hands, wrists, arms, feet etc.
But Pseudogout, generally affects older people and both men and women
equally.
Where as Gout
affects mainly men around the age from the mid thirties
onwards and Women generally after
menopause.
Doctors may well misdiagnose this disease as a
rheumatoid arthritis
The Differing characteristic between these two arthritic diseases of gout and pseudogout
are :
Gout
has uric acid crystal deposits that go to the extremities of the
body.
Pseudogout has
calcium pyrophosphate crystals heading to the
extremities and is
also a calcium
pyrophosphate
dihydrate crystal deposition disease.
Nice name isnt it.
And a person with this disease will also not get tophi lumps
There are a few theories on how pseudogout is formed, but there is no
significant evidence at this stage.
Some theories are :
•
a person may have a high level of calcium in their body
•
high levels of iron levels in their tissues
•
low magnesium levels in the blood
•
hereditary
•
dehydration
•
following surgical procedures
Yet again to completely get the diagnosis right a doctor will need to
painfully extract fluid out of an inflamed joint and study them under
an x-ray to confirm the disease.
Calcium shows differing characteristics in this process compared to
gout as gout requires a polar light microscope for analysis and cannot
be used under a x-ray.
The dangers of pseudogout can be permanent joint damage, and this joint
damage can be so severe that a sufferer may be unable to feel pain in
the joints, and also severe nerve damage can also occur.
It can also calcify cartilage and is related to other hormonal
illnesses.
At this stage there is no known actual preventative treatment, but
there is the possibility of blood diagnosis and early
potential detection, dietary changes and possible herbal remedies.
Generally Pseudogout will attack or affect the knee, wrist, ankle, shoulder, and hip areas.
Where as Gout will mostly affect the toes, heel, fingers, and wrist.
Both Gout and Pseudogout are severely painful, but gout most often is diagnosed early can be treated with a lifestyle change whilst pseudogout cannot because there is no treatment to remove or dissolve the calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joint once they are there.
It can also well be possible to have both Pseudogout and Gout
at the same time.
Treatment :
• NSAID's
•
COX-2 inhibitors
•
Intravenous colchicine
•
Draining of inflammed joint affected areas
•
Corticosteroid injections
•
drink plenty of fluids before and after an operation.
For pseudogout treatment, make sure you rest and elevate the painful area, use ice packs, to try and limit the damage caused to the joints.
Always seek the advice of a practitioner with
regards to this condition.
The Image on the Left shows what Pseudogout crystals look like compared to the image on the right which are Gout crystals.
Be Aware
Be
Gout Aware
Gout and Pseudogout
May 08, 24 08:57 PM
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