Dealing with Recurrent Flare-Ups
Insufficient or incorrect treatment of gout can result in recurring and intense attacks. If left untreated, these flare-ups can persist for seven to 10 days. Although they commonly begin with inflammation in the big toe, known as podagra, they can also affect other areas such as the feet, knees, wrists, hands, and elbows. After a flare-up subsides, individuals experience an “intercritical period” during which they are free from gout symptoms. The duration of this relief can vary greatly. While some individuals may never experience a recurrence, many face more frequent episodes that can ultimately lead to advanced gout and damage to the joints.
Mental Health Risks Associated with Gout
Gout, a condition characterized by excessive uric acid levels in the blood, may not only affect the joints but also have implications for mental health. The purinergic system, responsible for breaking down purines – the essential components of DNA, RNA, and ATP molecules – produces uric acid as a by-product. Unfortunately, when this system malfunctions, it can lead to an accumulation of uric acid in the bloodstream.
Recent studies have shed light on a potential link between elevated serum uric acid levels and an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder. In fact, individuals with high uric acid levels are reportedly 34 times more likely to develop this mental health condition than those with lower levels of uric acid.