Gout is actually a very old medical condition, dating back thousands of years. People noticed the symptoms and effects of gout thousands of years ago. Historical records contain information describing the symptoms and signs of gout during the time of the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, and the Roman Empire.
Hippocrates called gout “podagra” and stated that the disease was associated with painful swelling in the joints. During the Middle Ages, gout was often associated with wealth and was known as the “disease of the rich” because those affected were often described as consuming high protein and rich foods.
With the advancement of medicine, greater understanding has been gained regarding the origin and treatment of gout. Gout is a metabolic condition caused by increased levels of uric acid in the body and has been linked to various factors such as nutrition, genetic factors and lifestyle.
Modern medicine has developed advanced treatments and medications to better understand and treat gout. The history of gout has progressed in parallel with the evolution of medical science and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

What are the symptoms of gout disease?

The first symptoms of gout are usually sudden onset of severe pain and swelling. Usually the disease begins in the joint around the big toe. These pain attacks usually begin at night or early in the morning and are characterized by severe pain, swelling, redness and tenderness. Gout attacks occur suddenly and sometimes reach their peak within a few hours. The pain is often severe and the patient can make the joint very painful with even light contact. In addition to these symptoms, fever, fatigue, and a general feeling of discomfort may also occur during gout attacks. These symptoms often become more frequent and severe as the disease progresses. However, the symptoms of gout may vary from person to person, and following any attack, the symptoms may disappear for a certain period of time. In the long term, gout can cause joint damage, the buildup of petrified uric acid crystals, and the formation of kidney stones.

How is Gout Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of gout is usually made by a doctor through evaluation of signs and symptoms. Diagnosis may often include these steps:

Evaluation of Symptoms: The doctor begins by listening to the patient’s symptoms. Details such as severe joint pain, swelling, redness, and how often and for how long these symptoms have been present are taken into consideration.

Physical Examination: The doctor examines the affected joints and checks for physical findings such as swelling, redness, or tenderness.

Blood Tests: Blood tests are often helpful in diagnosing gout. It is specifically used to measure blood uric acid levels. High uric acid levels can be an indicator for gout, but sometimes high uric acid levels do not always mean gout.

Joint Fluid Analysis: In doubtful cases, the fluid in an affected joint can be sampled and examined. If uric acid crystals are present in this analysis, the presence of gout can be confirmed.

Imaging Tests: Imaging tests, such as radiographs or ultrasound, may be used to evaluate joint damage or crystal buildup from gout.

The physician diagnoses gout using a combination of symptoms, test results, and physical examination. These steps in the diagnostic process help diagnose the disease and create an appropriate treatment plan. The diagnostic process may differ for each patient, so it is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional.

How to Treat Gout?

Painkillers and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: They can be used to relieve pain and inflammation during gout attacks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids are often prescribed for this purpose.

Uric Acid Medications: These medications help reduce uric acid levels in the body. Medications such as allopurinol and febuxostat can reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks by reducing uric acid levels.

Anti-Inflammation Medications: Medications such as colchicine can be used to reduce inflammation at the beginning of gout attacks and in severe cases.

Prophylactic Treatment Medications: There are also medications used to prevent gout attacks in people with chronic gout disease. For example, medications that lower uric acid levels, such as allopurinol, may be prescribed for long-term use.

Effective Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Diet and lifestyle changes are also recommended along with medications in the treatment of gout. This may include factors such as avoiding foods high in purine, avoiding alcohol, drinking enough water, and maintaining an ideal weight.

The spine is a structure consisting of bones that are the support system of our body. The canal formed by these bones is called “spinal canal” or “spinal canal”.

Spinal stenosis is a condition where the nerves in the spinal cord are compressed as a result of the narrowing of this canal. This narrowing may sometimes be congenital or may develop with age. Depending on the severity and location of the narrowing, it may cause pain, tingling, numbness and even limitation of movement in the waist, back, neck, arms and legs.

Spinal stenosis in young people is more often associated with congenital structural problems. However, this situation occurs in the elderly; It may develop as a result of long periods of inactivity, excess weight, chronic diseases, spinal deformities, a herniated disc or progression of conditions such as arthritis. Other risk factors include smoking, genetic predisposition and chronic trauma.

Spinal stenosis is more common in men than in women. The risk increases especially in individuals over the age of 50. However, it is possible to encounter this condition in young people due to some genetic disorders or trauma.

When diagnosed early, relief and symptoms can be controlled with treatment options. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a specialist immediately when signs and symptoms are noticed.

What are the symptoms of canal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis does not present the same symptoms in every individual. Some people experience obvious symptoms, while others may experience no symptoms at all. Even if stenosis is detected in the canal in radiological tests, especially MRI (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) examinations, the individual may not feel any discomfort. However, it should not be forgotten that spinal stenosis is generally a slowly progressive condition and symptoms may increase or worsen over time. For this reason, early diagnosis and follow-up are very important.

What are the Risk Factors of Spinal Stenosis?

Some risk factors that may cause the development of spinal stenosis are listed below:

1. Bone Overgrowths : Overgrowths in bones resulting from joint calcification can narrow the spinal canal. These outgrowths usually form in response to calcification.
2. Disc Herniation : As we age, the intervertebral discs located between the vertebrae can lose water, causing the discs to protrude or herniate. This can cause narrowing of the spinal canal.
3. Thickening Ligaments : Thickening of the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together over time can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal.
4. Spinal Injuries : Injuries to the spine as a result of traffic accidents or other traumatic events may cause narrowing of the spinal canal.
5. Spinal Tumors : Benign or malignant tumors occurring in the spinal cord or around the spinal canal can cause narrowing of the canal.
6. Congenital Spinal Stenosis : Some people are born with a narrower spinal canal. The risk of spinal stenosis may increase in these people as they get older.

How Is Spinal Stenosis Diagnosed?

The following steps are taken to diagnose spinal stenosis:

1. Physical Examination : Your doctor will perform a physical examination after listening to your signs and symptoms. During the examination, the location and severity of your pain and whether it changes with movement are evaluated.
2. Neurological Evaluation : Neurological symptoms such as balance, walking style, reflexes and muscle strength are evaluated.
3. Imaging Tests : Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, one or more imaging tests may be ordered. These may be x-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography) or myelography. These tests are used to detect the presence of any narrowing or other abnormalities in the spinal canal.

What are the Treatment Methods for Spinal Canal Narrowing?

Treatment of spinal canal stenosis may vary depending on the severity of the patient’s complaints, the location and cause of the stenosis. The treatment approach generally consists of the following stages:

1. Exercises Applied at Home : In patients with mild complaints, some special exercises are recommended to relieve spinal canal narrowing. The purpose of these exercises is to relieve pressure on the spinal canal.
2. Physical Therapy : Physical therapy is used to improve the patient’s spinal functions, reduce pain and increase mobility. An expert physiotherapist determines the exercises and practices appropriate to the patient’s needs.
3. Medication : Anti-inflammatory medications, painkillers, and sometimes muscle relaxants can help reduce pain and inflammation.
4. Interventional Pain Treatments : If complaints do not decrease, interventional treatment methods such as epidural steroid injections can be tried. This method is applied to reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
5. Surgical Treatment : If there is no response to conservative treatment methods or if the patient’s condition worsens rapidly, surgical intervention may be decided. Surgery is performed to widen the narrowed spinal canal.
6. Emergency Surgical Situations : If the patient develops neurological symptoms such as sudden loss of strength in the legs or problems with bladder or bowel control, this is considered an emergency and immediate surgical intervention may be required.

Since the treatment approach may be different for each patient, doctor’s advice is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment option.

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSH) is a condition characterized by pain and swelling in the front of the knee, which usually occurs during growth spurts in adolescence. This condition, which mostly affects young athletes, is characterized by a painful bulge at the bottom of the knee, especially on the tibia (shin bone).

The main cause of Osgood-Schlatter disease is the constant and repeated stretching of the patellar tendon against the apex of the bone called the tibial tuberosity. This stretching occurs especially with frequent running, jumping and bending the knees. This constant stretching can cause minor micro-injuries in young people when the bone is still immature. The body begins the healing process in response to these injuries, causing swelling, pain, and bone growth in the area.

What are the symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

The most common symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter disease are:

• Pain in the front and lower part of the knee.
• Pain that increases with physical activity.
• Pain that gets worse after activity.
• Swelling and tenderness in the tibial tuberosity.
• Sometimes redness on the knee.

How is Osgood-Schlatter Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made by the patient’s clinical history and physical examination findings. However, sometimes imaging tests such as x-rays may be performed to rule out other conditions or to evaluate the severity of OSH.

How is Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treated?

Osgood-Schlatter usually responds well to treatment, and most teenagers fully recover from the condition by adulthood. The main goal of treatment is to reduce pain and control inflammation. Treatment methods may include:

1. Rest and Activity Modification : It is necessary to rest the affected knee to reduce pain. This may mean taking a break from sports or physical activities for a while.
2. Cold Application : Applying a cold compress to the painful area can help reduce swelling.
3. Painkillers : Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling.
4. Physical Therapy : Physical therapy can help reduce pain by providing techniques to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.
5. Use of Knee Pads : Special knee pads can be used to support the knee.

What are the complications and long-term effects of Osgood-Schlatter Disease ?

Long-term complications of OSH are rare. However, in some young people, a permanent protrusion may remain on the tibial tuberosity. This is mostly a cosmetic concern and does not pose a functional problem. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a temporary but sometimes bothersome condition that often affects young athletes. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, most young people can be protected from the negative effects of this condition and can return to normal physical activities. It is important for parents and coaches to recognize this condition in youth and take immediate action for appropriate treatment.

Poor posture can be caused by many reasons, such as those who work in front of the computer for a long time, those who carry heavy loads and genetic factors. A healthy posture is essential for spine health and overall comfort. Correct posture respects the natural curves of the spine and maintains muscle balance. Some exercises you can do to correct poor posture are:

1. Chest Opening Exercise:

• While standing or sitting, pull your shoulders back and squeeze your shoulder blades together.
• Hold this position for 5-10 seconds and then relax.
• Repeat this exercise 10-15 times a day.

2. Wall Pasting:

• With your back facing the wall, your heels, hips, shoulders and the back of your head should touch the wall.
• Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
• Repeat this exercise several times a day.

3. Neck Stretching Exercise:

• Slowly tilt your head to one side, allowing your ear to point toward your shoulder.
• Hold for 20-30 seconds and switch to the other side.
• Repeat on each side 3-4 times a day.

4. Scapula Tightening:

• While keeping your hands on the sides of your hips, bring your shoulder blades together and squeeze them.
• Hold this position for 10 seconds and then relax.
• Repeat 10-15 times a day.

5. Bridge Exercise:

• Lie on your back and bend your knees.
• Lift your hips up and keep your waist straight as you plant your feet on the floor.
• Stay in this position for 20 seconds and then lower slowly.
• Repeat this exercise 10 times a day.

6. Plank Exercise:

• Start in a push-up position but land on your elbows.
• Make sure your body is in a straight line.
• Stay in this position for 20-30 seconds and then rest.

7. Abs Exercises:

• Basic abdominal exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support your posture.
• For example; You can try exercises such as crunches, leg lifts and cycling.

8. Breast Lift:

• On a door frame, place your hands on either side of the frame and push your chest forward.
• Repeat this movement several times a day, holding it for 20-30 seconds.

9. Spine Stretch:

• Start in an all-fours position. Taking a deep breath, lift your head up and arch your spine downwards.
• As you exhale, lower your head down and arch your spine upward.
• Repeat this movement 10-15 times a day.

10. Prone Arm and Leg Raise:

• Lie on the floor with your face down. Then lift the opposite arm and leg at the same time.
• Stay in this position for 3-5 seconds and then lower it.
• Repeat 10 times on each side.

As a result , proper posture is essential for spinal health and overall comfort. The exercises listed above can help improve your posture. However, it is important to consult your doctor or a physiotherapist before starting any exercise routine. This is especially important if you have an existing injury or health problem. Performing each exercise with the correct technique will help you get the best results and minimize the risk of injury.