Sometimes A Simple Checkup Can Remove Your Pain

People often tend to make a mistake where they ignore a symptom that is a part of a much bigger condition just because they think it is not a big deal, and that it is going to go away in a couple of days. While that may happen from time to time, more often than not, simple symptoms that seem like nothing, are just the tip of the iceberg of a condition that will haunt them for life if not treated.

Gout, a common joint condition

It is not uncommon that someone is a healthy person at night, only to wake up with swelled joints that also cause a lot of pain. That is because gout can be acquired overnight if a person tends to eat some purine-rich foods, or if they drink a lot of alcohol in a short amount of time.

The reason behind those two examples is because they increase the uric acid levels in the body, and while uric acid is commonly present and expelled out of the body via urine thanks to kidneys, when increased amounts are present, expelling them is just not possible. Uric acid then drifts throughout the body, and as it attaches to the joints, crystals are formed. Those crystals cause inflammation, which then causes the previously mentioned swelling and pain.

If you suspect that you are suffering from gout due to sudden pain in the joints, especially if it is the big toe, then you can consult with a rheumatologist gout in Brisbane like in arthritisCARE if you happen to be in the area. They will be able to give you appropriate treatment and instructions how to about from gout happening in the future.

Gout affects the big toe

Osteoarthritis, more than just a joint condition

Unlike gout which attacks only the joint, osteoarthritis is more than that. With osteoarthritis, the affected area is the joint, as well as the area around it. That means that ligaments and cartilage can also suffer damage from this condition if left untreated. In some cases, bony spurs tend to develop around the joints, which are extremely painful.

There are a couple of different reasons why osteoarthritis can occur. One of the main reasons is simply being overweight, which causes stress on the joints and the tissue around them. That is why the treatment for this condition is to simply lose weight, but you can also receive medication for osteoarthritis in Brisbane at arthritisCARE if the cases are more serious.

Illustration of how osteoarthritis affects the joint and the tissue around it

Final word

No matter if you suffer from gout or osteoarthritis, or some other condition, consulting with a specialist and asking for help is not a shameful thing to do. Keeping your health as your number one priority is something that you should always keep in mind. If your health starts to giveaway, you will not be able to enjoy other things as much as you normally would.