People who drink a lot of alcohol, eat a lot of purine-rich foods, older men, and those with chronic diseases are at higher risk of developing gout in the wrist.
Gout is a type of arthritis that commonly affects the big toe. However, it can affect any joint, including the wrist. When it occurs in multiple joints at the same time, it is called polyarthritis. People with the following factors are at a higher risk of developing wrist gout.
Drinking too much alcohol : Alcoholic beverages contain high levels of purines, which produce uric acid leading to gout. In addition to increasing the risk of gout in the wrist, alcohol also makes gout attacks more likely.
Consuming many purine-rich foods : You are at a higher risk of developing gout in the wrist if you regularly eat foods that produce uric acid, such as red meat, sugary drinks, and seafood. Excess uric acid can accumulate as crystals in tissues, causing kidney stones and gout.
Gout in the wrist affects the ability to move the hand. Photo: Freepik
Family history : If grandparents or parents have gout, the risk of their children or grandchildren developing the disease is often higher. Firstly, this is partly due to genetic inheritance. Secondly, because people live together in the same family, their eating habits and lifestyles are similar. This increases the risk of developing the disease.
Having chronic diseases : The risk of developing gout in the wrist is higher for people with conditions such as psoriasis, kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension. In addition, inflammatory arthritis conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and wrist injuries also increase the risk of developing gout in the wrist.
Men : Men under 65 are four times more likely to develop gout than women. This ratio also applies to wrist gout.
Increasing age : The risk of developing gout in the wrist is higher in people of all ages. However, in older adults, whose joints are more vulnerable, the risk of developing gout in the wrist is also higher.
Gout in the wrist is less common than gout in the big toe. Symptoms develop rapidly and become severe in a short time, potentially affecting both the hand and wrist simultaneously. Clinical symptoms of gout in the wrist or hand may include: swelling of the wrist or hand, warmth, redness, and pain in the affected joints, wrist stiffness, limited movement due to pain and swelling, pain, fever due to inflammation, headache, and discomfort.
Untreated gout can cause permanent joint damage, affecting mobility. Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to avoid irreversible damage to the wrist. Additional tests to confirm a diagnosis of wrist gout include uric acid blood tests, joint fluid aspiration, and imaging studies.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the goal of gout treatment is to control pain and prevent future gout attacks. People can limit symptoms by making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, quitting alcohol, choosing gentle activities for the joints, including walking, swimming, and cycling, exercising the wrists, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding overuse of the wrists.
( According to Very Well Health )
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