Pseudogout

Pseudogout is a form of arthritis, which shows in the inflammation of joints caused by accumulation of crystals around the affected joints. Pseudogout has the same symptoms: sudden and painful swelling in one or more joints which can last from days to weeks. It is also called “false gout” because the condition shares many similarities with gout. It is just that the crystals in gout inflammation are monosodium urate, while those in pseudogout are not really. They also have big differences in form if you observe carefully using a microscope. Both are actually caused by different types of crystals. Also, pseudogout often attacks older people and usually happens at the knee’s joint or other large joints such as wrists, shoulders, hands, hips, and elbows. We know that gout attack mostly occurs on the big toe. In some cases, pseudogout happens together with gout, where the affected joint has both the two forms of crystals.

Once the crystals are there, you can not get rid of them. So try to follow a healthy life style as early as possible. It is not only beneficial to prevent from gout and pseudogout, but also from many other health problems. However, if you already suffering from pseudogout, there are treatments to help you relieve the pain and inflammation. First, let’s see what the pseudogout attack is like.

Pseudogout attack results in swelling, warm or burnt feeling, stiffness, and severe pain in one or more joints. The symptoms usually attack large joints only, either one or a few at a time. Even though the symptoms can last for few days to weeks, they can also resolve spontaneously without you realizing it. You can treat pseudogout with ice and rest if the symptoms are not acute. Otherwise, the Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually effective as medication. Patients can also take small doses of colchicines in daily terms to prevent pseudogout.

If you are curious whether you have or potent to get pseudogout, check the following risk factors.
1. Age. The crystals that contribute to psedogout are mostly found in the joints of older people. So the older you are, the more at risk you are.
2. Genetic. The crystals of pseudogout can be passed on through genes. So if you have a family with the disease, you are at more risks of contracting pseudogout even if you are still young.
3. Joint trauma. If you ever experience trauma at any joint which results in serious injury or surgery, then the joint has more risks to develop the pseudogout crystals.