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Is There A Link Between Diabetes And Gout?

Gout And Diabetes – The Connection

Gout And Diabetes – The Connection

Gout is a form of chronic arthritis that can lead to pain, swelling and ultimately joint destruction and kidney problems. Gout and diabetes have some of the same risk factors. Learn more about the connection between gout and diabetes and what you can do about it. Gout occurs when high levels of uric acid crystallize and are deposited around the joints and in soft tissue. This can lead to a type of inflammatory arthritis, causing pain, swelling and itchiness in areas such as the big toe, ankles, wrists, fingers, knees, heels and elbows. If gout is untreated, the uric acid crystals can become hardened lumps that can lead to compromised joints and kidney problems. Gout has been linked with diabetes for years. Diabetes and gout share a few common risk factors. Being overweight or obese can make people more prone to developing diabetes type 2 and/or gout. Other factors include insulin resistance, decreased circulation, elevated uric acid levels, a diet high in saturated fats and a lack of exercise. Gout occurs when too much uric acid is formed and the kidneys cannot process it. Risks for gout can include excessive alcohol use, genetic tendencies, illness or surgery, taking diuretics, joint injury and high blood fat levels as well as radiation, chemotherapy, certain medications, fad dieting, consuming excessive fructose (such as the type found in sweetened sodas) and eating a lot of shellfish, red meat and/or liver. A simple blood test can be done to determine your level of uric acid and whether you are prone to developing gout. People with elevated levels of uric acid are also more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. To reduce the chance of developing gout, eat a well-balanced diet with limited animal protein. Minimize your intake of red meat, shellfish and organ m Continue reading >>

Uric Acid And Diabetes: Is There A Link?

Uric Acid And Diabetes: Is There A Link?

Abstract Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels (i.e. hyperuricaemia) have been associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Elevated SUA levels predict the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). SUA levels are increased during the early stages of impaired glucose metabolism. Furthermore, in diabetic patients, hyperuricaemia has been linked to both micro- and macrovascular complications. The present review considers: (1) SUA levels in patients with MetS, type 1 diabetes and T2DM; (2) the mechanisms that influence SUA levels in these patients; (3) the potential links between SUA and diabetic complications. The effect on SUA levels of drugs commonly prescribed for T2DM and the risk of uric acid nephrolithiasis in patients with MetS or DM are also briefly discussed. Continue reading >>

Diabetes And Gout : Is There A Link Between Diabetes And Gout

Diabetes And Gout : Is There A Link Between Diabetes And Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis caused due to excessive deposition of uric acid in blood. It is characterized by throbbing pain, inflammation and redness in big toe, knees, joints of wrists, fingers, shoulders, elbow or ankle joint. Diabetes occurs due to high sugar levels in the blood either because the pancreas fail to produce the needed amount of glucose or the cells are nonresponsive to the insulin produced. Constant urge to urinate and sudden increase in hunger and thirst are the typical symptoms of diabetes. Both the diseases are related to unhealthy eating habits, excessive consumption of sweets and alcohol as well as lack of physical activity. In obese people, gout and diabetes tend to co-exist. Connection Between Diabetes and Gout Studies have depicted that high level of uric acid in the blood i.e. more than 7 increases risk of diabetes by almost 20%. Diabetogenic process is enhanced by inflammation caused due to gout. On the other hand, diabetes hampers proper circulation in the body and as a result uric acid may get deposited in the joint and cause gout. It has been seen that men who have gout may in future develop type 2 diabetes and therefore from the onset diabetes risk factors need to be taken care of in them. One needs to control the risk factors to safeguard against both the conditions. These include: Weight management: Obesity needs to be kept at bay to prevent both gout and diabetes. The appropriate body mass index (BMI) that needs to be maintained should be around 25. An overweight person with BMI more than 25 or an obese person with BMI more than 30 is at risk of both the conditions. A weight management diet should have low calorie and fiber rich foods. The person should eat in smaller quantities and drink more of water rather than sweetened drinks. Fre Continue reading >>

Does Gout Cause Diabetes?

Does Gout Cause Diabetes?

A study published in October, 2014, did find a link between gout and type 2 diabetes – specifically, it showed that having gout appears to increase the risk of developing diabetes, particularly among women. However, while both conditions have several risk factors in common, the connection between them isn’t clear. The study found an association, but it didn’t prove cause and effect. Researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. followed more than 35,000 gout patients in Great Britain, gathering data on both women (9,693) and men (25,646). The investigators also compared the data from the gout patients with information on just over 137,000 people who didn’t have gout. After comparing all the medical facts, the research team found that women who had gout were 71 percent more likely to develop diabetes than a comparable group of women who didn’t have gout. Among men, those with gout had a 22 percent increased risk. Gout is an inherited metabolic disorder that can cause a type of arthritis. It usually affects the big toe but can also occur in other joints including the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows. Attacks can be extremely painful and are worsened by being on your feet. The hallmark of gout is elevated blood levels of uric acid, a breakdown product of protein metabolism. In news reports, the study’s lead researcher, Hyon Choi, M.D. of Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital, suggested that ongoing low levels of inflammation due to gout might increase the risk of diabetes. The risk factors the two diseases have in common are high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity. Gout is also associated with metabolic syndrome, and an increased risk of major cardiovascular events and premature death, the researchers noted. Excess alcohol consumption and Continue reading >>

Gout And Diabetes

Gout And Diabetes

Tweet Gout is a form of arthritis (inflammation of joints) caused by high levels of uric acid. Gout can be a painful condition but one that can be managed to reduce the frequency at which gout attacks occur. Gout is known to affect around 1 in 100 people in the UK and is around four times more common in men than in women. Research shows that people with gout are significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people without gout. Gout and diabetes A number of research papers have shown associations between gout and type 2 diabetes including a study from Harvard Medical School, published in 2014, which showed gout to be associated with a 70 increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A common medication for treating gout, allopurinol, has shown promise for reducing thickening of heart muscle and is currently undergoing testing as a possible medication for reducing risk of diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). Symptoms of gout Gout is characterised by swelling of joints. The base of the big toe is most commonly affected by gout. More than one joint may be affected by gout in some people. Symptoms can come on quickly, with swelling occurring within a few hours. The swollen joint can be very painful and sensitive to touch. During swelling, skin covering the joint may typically turn red and shiny in appearance. The swelling and symptoms may occur for several days if not treated. Once the inflammation has subsided, the skin on the joint may become itchy and flaky. Causes of gout Gout occurs if high levels of uric acid in the blood leads to crystals of sodium urate forming in and around the joints. If these crystals spill into the joint space, this can cause the joint to become inflamed. Risk factors High levels of uric acid are more likely to build if you have an Continue reading >>

Gout And Diabetes: Whats The Connection?

Gout And Diabetes: Whats The Connection?

Gout and Diabetes: Whats the Connection? Gout and Diabetes: Whats the Connection? Diabetes is known to cause a series of health-related issues in our body because of the sheer complication that the condition brings to your body. In this article, we shall explore and analyze the relationship that exists between diabetes and the problem of gout. So, come and join in for the article Gout and Diabetes: Whats the Connection? When there are high levels of uric acid in your body, the same takes the form of arthritis or gout. It is inflammation of the joints and can be a really painful state to be in. It ultimately leads to swelling and the destruction of the joints along with problems in the kidney. You usually feel the pain in and around your big toe. However, there are other joints where you feel the pain as well. Gout is mainly caused when you have high amounts of uric acid in the blood. The acid is nothing but the waste of the purines, and other substances found in the various tissues of the body that are broken down and by the body. The following are some of the risk factors that can contribute to the problem of gout: If you have a family history of the condition. Genes are greatly responsible for the condition Obesity or weight contributes to the problem to a great extent. If you have food that is very high in purines such as red meat, lentils, oily fish, etc. as the same is broken down into uric acid. Other problems that lead to high levels of uric acid in your blood such as kidney failure, hypoparathyroidism, leukemia, amongst a host of others. As is clear, the risk factors that cause gout seem to be very similar to the ones that expose you to the risk of diabetes. The following paragraph explores this relationship in further details: According to a few theories by di Continue reading >>

Gout And Diabetes

Gout And Diabetes

Once termed “the kings’ disease,” gout used to be a problem primarily for wealthy people and royalty who lounged around drinking wine and eating rich food. But today, an estimated 68% of American adults are either overweight or obese. As a result, gout and type 2 diabetes -- two diseases that can result from an unhealthy lifestyle -- are sharply on the rise. Gout is an arthritic condition caused by having an excess buildup of uric acid. It causes sudden, extreme attacks of pain, swelling, and redness. Gouty arthritis most often strikes the big toe, but it also can show up in the feet, ankles, knees, hands, and wrists. Type 2 diabetes, a disease characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood, also can result from eating too much and moving too little. Gout and type 2 diabetes often co-exist in people with common physical characteristics and conditions, the most prominent being obesity. “A lot of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes are the same for gout,” says Michele Meltzer, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia who specializes in gout. By changing these risk factors, you can help prevent or fight both diseases. Here’s what you can do: Lose weight. “We are digging our graves with our forks in this country,” says John D. Reveille, MD, director of the division of rheumatology at UT Health Medical School in Houston. To prevent gout, type 2 diabetes, and a host of other health problems, he says you should keep a close eye on your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. According to the National Institutes of Health, waist size becomes very important when a person’s body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 34.9. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese. Kee Continue reading >>

Does Having Gout Increase My Chances Of Developing Diabetes?

Does Having Gout Increase My Chances Of Developing Diabetes?

Many of the people who suffer from gout also suffer from diabetes or eventually will. Both diseases have been with us for thousands of years. Having one condition elevates the risk of developing the other. The possibility of a connection was affirmed in the late 18th century but again it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to this conclusion. This is obviously due to the fact that gout is linked with obesity, hypertension and little exercise or high blood pressure. Diabetes a disease of high blood sugar is also associated with obesity, hypertension, not enough physical activity and high blood pressure. Gout and diabetes are metabolic disorders and if you have both diseases or either one, strong chances they were inherited from your genetic makeup. But more likely than that, you probably had the same bad eating habits that both or one of your parents had and then went on to develop gout and/or diabetes, by watching your mom or dad, you instilled those bad eating habits and allowed it to happen to you. Furthermore, both diseases are associated with poor blood circulation in the body especially the limbs and insulin resistance in diabetes plays a big part in the potential development of gout. Remember that in some advanced cases of diabetes, gangrene occurs in the foot making amputation necessary. Sadly, both diseases can also kill you and lead you to a poorer quality of life. But it’s the poor circulation, the most likely reason why the risk of gout is relatively high in people with diabetes. Poor blood circulation means you have higher uric acid levels, making the kidneys slow and inefficient in releasing it out to your urine. In addition, your blood is overly acidic and your pH levels are off balance. Evidence of gout and diabetes New studies indicate that you h Continue reading >>

Gout May Be Linked To Raised Diabetes Risk: Study

Gout May Be Linked To Raised Diabetes Risk: Study

Women with this form of arthritis are more susceptible, researchers say Please note: This article was published more than one year ago. The facts and conclusions presented may have since changed and may no longer be accurate. And "More information" links may no longer work. Questions about personal health should always be referred to a physician or other health care professional. HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, Oct. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, appears to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially in women, a new study finds. Researchers followed more than 35,000 gout sufferers in the United Kingdom and found that women with gout were 71 percent more likely to develop diabetes compared with people without gout. For men, the increased risk was 22 percent. "Gout seems to be contributing to the risk of diabetes independently of other diabetes risk factors, such as obesity," said lead researcher Dr. Hyon Choi, from the division of rheumatology, allergy, and immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Gout causes intense pain and swelling in single joints, most often the feet, especially the joint at the base of the big toe. More than 3 million Americans suffer from the condition, men more often than women, according to the American College of Rheumatology. People with gout have excess uric acid in the body, which forms needle-like crystals that lodge in the joints. Diabetes, characterized by high blood sugar levels, can lead to kidney damage, heart disease and limb amputations over time. Clarifying its relationship to gout "is essential," the study authors said. However, while the current research suggests gout raises the risk of diabetes, the study can't prove it. "The association is clearly there, but why that is so isn' Continue reading >>

Gout & Diabetes

Gout & Diabetes

If you have gout, you may be at risk for diabetes. Research has shown a link between gout and diabetes. People who have gout and elevated uric acid levels are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. At the same time, those who already have type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high levels of uric acid in the blood – or hyperuricemia – which is the root cause of gout. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are above normal, due to either a lack of insulin in the blood or resistance to the insulin. Studies have shown that insulin resistance may play a role in developing gout and that hyperuricemia may worsen insulin resistance. Insulin resistance has also been associated with obesity and high blood pressure, which are risk factors for gout. Like gout, diabetes has been linked to other serious health issues, such as heart disease and kidney damage. Controlling blood sugar and uric acid levels can help to make both diabetes and gout easier to manage. While anyone with gout can develop diabetes, risk is especially high among women – with recent studies showing that women who have gout are 71 percent more likely to develop diabetes than women who do not have gout. Control Gout and Protect Your Long-Term Health Maintaining a healthy serum uric acid level of 6 mg/dL or below is important to reduce risk for gout and diabetes. Ask your doctor for a routine serum uric acid blood test to see if you have elevated uric acid. Your doctor can also run tests to measure your blood sugar level. If your uric acid levels are high, your doctor may prescribe medications to help keep levels low and reduce your risk for future gout flares. It is important to take these medications as prescribed – and not to stop them without talking with the doctor. It is also imp Continue reading >>

Gout: The Disease Of Kings… And Everyone Else (part 1)

Gout: The Disease Of Kings… And Everyone Else (part 1)

You might be thinking that it’s a little bit odd to be writing about gout on a diabetes Web site. What could the two conditions possibly have in common, you ask? Surprisingly (or perhaps not), quite a bit. Gout is a type of chronic, progressive arthritis that occurs when high levels of uric acid get deposited as crystals around the joints and sometimes, in soft tissue. The uric acid crystals cause an inflammatory type of arthritis that leads to pain (often very intense), redness, and swelling. The most commonly affected joint is the big toe, but the ankle, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows may be, as well. Left untreated, uric acid crystals can form hardened lumps in the joints and in tissues, leading to joint destruction, kidney damage, and kidney stones. Gout has been termed the “disease of kings” because it used to be that royalty and other wealthy folks were afflicted (after dining on too much rich food and drink). Even Saint Gregory the Great suffered from this painful condition. However, gout doesn’t discriminate: According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2008, almost 4% of adult Americans have had gout at some point. Men suffer more than women (6% of men versus 2% of women). And gout is on the increase. Gout and Diabetes Linking gout with diabetes isn’t anything new. In fact, the possibility of a connection was established in the late 18th century. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make sense of this connection: As overweight and obesity increase, so does the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and gout. People with gout and people with Type 2 diabetes share some common risk factors: • Being overweight or obese (for the most part) • Not getting enough physical activity • High uric acid levels • Insulin Continue reading >>

The Link Between Diabetes And Gout

The Link Between Diabetes And Gout

If you have type 2 diabetes, your chances of getting gout are higher. And the same is true in reverse. Gout boosts your chance of diabetes. Gout is a kind of arthritis that causes sudden pain and swelling in your joints. It usually shows up first in the big toe, but it can occur in other joints too. The pain can be intense. Some things raise your risk for both diabetes and gout, but you can manage many of the causes of these conditions. What Causes Gout? Gout usually happens when uric acid builds up in the blood (a condition called hyperuricemia). This acid is a waste that your body makes when it breaks down purines, substances found in your body tissue and some foods. Normally, the acid dissolves in your blood, passes through your kidneys, and leaves when you pee. If your body makes extra uric acid, or if the kidneys can’t clear enough of it, the levels of the acid in your blood get too high. With time, the acid forms crystals that get stuck in your joints or soft tissue. That’s what causes the painful symptoms. A first attack of gout may last a week to 10 days. It’s estimated that almost 85% of people who have it once have another episode within 3 years. Gout often runs in families. So if a parent, brother, or sister has it, you might get it too. The Gout-Diabetes Link People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have hyperuricemia, and people with gout and high uric acid are more likely to get diabetes. Not everyone with hyperuricemia gets gout, but your chances go up as uric acid levels rise. Type 2 diabetes happens when your body doesn’t use insulin well and sugar stays in the blood instead of moving into cells. This is called insulin resistance. Studies show this may play a role in the development of gout and hyperuricemia may make insulin resistance wor Continue reading >>

Gout-diabetes Link Confirmed

Gout-diabetes Link Confirmed

The presence of gout was independently associated with later development of type 2 diabetes, a link that was particularly strong for women, a population-based study found. The incidence rate for type 2 diabetes among individuals with gout was 9.6 (95% CI 9.4-9.8) per 1,000 person-years, compared with 6.7 (95% CI 6.6-6.8) per 1,000 among the general population, according to Hyon K. Choi, MD, and colleagues from Boston University. On multivariate analysis that adjusted for factors such as body mass index (BMI), the hazard ratio for diabetes among women was 1.48 (95% CI 1.29-1.68) compared with 1.15 (95% CI 1.06-1.24) among men, the researchers reported online in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. "Although gout's cardinal feature is excruciatingly painful inflammatory arthritis, it is a metabolic condition associated with an elevated uric acid burden. Thus, gout is associated with obesity, hypertension, the metabolic syndrome, and an increased future risk of major cardiovascular events and premature mortality," they wrote. An earlier study identified an increased risk for type 2 diabetes among men with gout and other cardiovascular risk factors, but the risk in the general population has not been determined. To explore this, Choi's group analyzed data from The Health Improvement Network in the U.K., which includes more than 7 million patients. They identified 9,693 women and 25,646 men with gout enrolled in the network between 1995 and 2010. A total of 137,056 controls were matched for age, time of enrollment, and BMI. Covariates included smoking, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, medications, and healthcare usage. At baseline, women with gout were older than men (67.9 versus 60.7 years). Patients with gout had more comorbidities, drank more alcohol, had more physician v Continue reading >>

Is There A Link Between Gout And Diabetes?

Is There A Link Between Gout And Diabetes?

What causes gout? Yes, there is a definite association between the two conditions. The association is linked more so with type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance / inability to use insulin effectively in the body). Either condition is known to have a higher risk of developing symptoms of the other. A person with type 2 diabetes is at increased risk of hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the bloodstream). Insulin is not used well in the body of a person with type 2 diabetes, and sugar tends to remain in the bloodstream instead of transferring to other cells where it is needed. The effect is insulin resistance which also plays a role in hyperuricemia. Excess uric acid has the knock-on effect of making insulin resistance worse. Both conditions have similar risk factors including obesity, hypertension and middle age (around 45 years of age). Both conditions can also be very well managed with effective medical treatment. Essential to both are a healthy diet that avoids symptom triggers, adequate hydration and regular exercise. Keeping other health problems and concerns under control, by consulting with a medical doctor periodically, will also prove beneficial. Continue reading >>

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