Did you know that there are 360 joints in our bodies? As we age, however, they’ll become stiffer and less flexible.
This is due to two things—decreasing amounts of lubricating fluid and thinning of the cartilage. This is one of the reasons why osteoarthritis is so common among seniors.
Other conditions that affect the junctions include lupus, Lyme disease, and bursitis. Gout is another one. Basically, it’s a type of arthritis that causes painful and swollen joints.
But wait—who does it affect? Can women get gout? Want to know? If so you’re on the right page. Keep reading to learn more about the topic!
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that’s caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Over time, these crystals will accumulate in the joints. Ultimately, it’s this buildup that leads to pain and inflammation.
While gout can affect any joint, it most commonly affects the base of the big toe. Highly painful, it can make it feel as if your foot is on fire.
Can Women Get Gout?
Gout can affect anyone so yes—women can get gout. Statistically speaking, however, men are more likely to have the condition.
According to Statista, 2.23 percent of the male population had gout in 2012, whereas it only affected 0.84 percent of women.
Symptoms of Gout
Acute gout tends to come on quickly. Depending on the amount of buildup, symptoms can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days. In addition to pain and swelling, your joints may feel warm.
Left untreated, the condition can become chronic. More specifically, hard lumps will develop, which can cause permanent damage to your joints.
It’s worth mentioning that some people will also experience no symptoms. This is referred to as asymptomatic gout.
Causes of Gout
Certain conditions can make your body produce too much uric acid, which can lead to gout. For example, it might be caused by hypothyroidism or psoriasis. Individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea are also at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Kidney issues can also contribute to the problem as it makes it harder for your body to remove excess uric acid crystals.
Certain medications such as diuretics can increase your risk as well.
Treatments For Gout
There are various medications that you can use to treat gout. Take corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example—they’re both effective at relieving pain.
In addition to that, there are drugs that you can take to prevent future gout attacks.
Recent studies have also shown that CBD oil can be beneficial for those with gout. Yes, CBD oil for gout is a thing. It helps relieve inflammatory pain, which makes the condition much more bearable.
Understanding Gout
Hopefully, that answers the question of “can women get gout?”. If anything, we can all get the condition, it’s just more common among males.
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