The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Gout

Content

• Least Common Gout Attack Sites
• What Types Of Doctors Treat Gout?
• Treating A Gout Attack
• Gout And Foot Pain: How To Find Relief
• Gout And Inflammatory Arthritis: A Patient Case And Discussion

Obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, diabetes, and abnormal kidney function are among the risk factors for developing gout. Certain drugs and diseases can also cause elevated levels of uric acid. Also, there is an increased prevalence of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels in patients with gout. Nongenetic factors are also believed to play a role in gout, primarily by triggering flares.

Least Common Gout Attack Sites

This medication is injected subcutaneously by the patient once a day, usually for 3 days, but can be used longer if needed to resolve a flare. Although much data supports the effectiveness and safety of this medication for gout, it is expensive and not as yet FDA approved for gout flares. It is still used off-label for gout, especially in hospitalized patients who often have risk factors that make the use of most other gout flare treatments more risky. These criteria take advantage of the features of gout that separate it from other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. For example, the inflammation of gout tends to reach a maximum within 24 hours, while other types of arthritis tend to evolve more slowly. Likewise, the presence of redness over a joint, the involvement of the “bunion” joint, and a high blood level of uric acid are all features making gout more likely.

How bad is gout pain?

The results showed that levels of uric acid in the blood significantly decreased with increasing coffee intake, but not with tea intake. In addition, there was no association between total caffeine intake from beverages and uric acid levels.

Most of the time, having too much uric acid isn't harmful. Many people with high levels in their blood never get gout. But when uric acid levels in your blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints. Gout develops in the setting of excessive stores of uric acid in the form of monosodium urate. Uric acid is an end-stage by-product of purine metabolism.

What Types Of Doctors Treat Gout?

If left untreated, gout can cause erosion and destruction of a joint. Podagra treatment may consist only of short-term treatment to shorten and lessen the symptoms of a podagra attack. Lifestyle interventions may be recommended, if applicable. In cases of recurrent attacks, longer-term management may be needed to prevent further attacks and permanent damage to the joints. The most definitive way for a doctor to make a diagnosis of gout and podagra is by taking a sample of fluid from a swollen joint to look for evidence of gout crystals in the joint.

Gout once was mistakenly thought to be a disease of the wealthy because it seemed to be caused by eating rich foods and by drinking too much alcohol. Although diet and excessive drinking do have something to do with gout, they are not the main cause of the disorder. Some medications such as diuretics , and having low thyroid hormones may also be risk factors for getting gouty attacks.

While some studies show that caffeine can actually protect against gout pain, others find that sudden spikes in caffeine intake can trigger an attack. Uric-acid-lowering medicine, such as losartan or allopurinol. The new gout guidelines recommend taking these with a three- to six-month course of NSAIDS. A number of different drugs can be used to treat gout flare-ups. Hard white deposits or lumps under the skin, called tophi, found on the elbows, ears, or fingers.

Like allopurinol, the most common side-effect of febuxostat is causing gout to flare after this drug is started. As with allopurinol, it is reasonable whenever possible to add a preventative medication, such as colchicine, for at least the first six months after starting febuxostat to help avoid gout flares. Later on, as the total body uric acid decreases, this will generally no longer be needed. Uric acid crystals can be thought of like matches, which can sit quietly or can be ignited.

Treating A Gout Attack

Nephrologists may treat patients with uric-acid-lowering medications such as allopurinol in order to prevent damage to the kidneys, which can occur with elevated uric acid levels . When the body has high levels of uric acid, or hyperuricemia, uric acid crystals can concentrate in the joints. However, many people with higher uric acid levels never get gout. Active research is ongoing in a variety of fields related to gout and hyperuricemia. Scientists have found that high animal protein slightly increased the risk for gout. New drugs are being developed that may be more versatile and safe in treating the elevated uric acid levels in patients with chronic gout.

Find out which foods are especially high in gout-producing purines. The buildup of uric acid in your blood from the breakdown of purines causes gout. THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances.

Pain is typically accompanied by extreme joint tenderness, swelling, warmth, and skin redness. Doctors place gout under the umbrella term “arthritis” — a broad range of joint diseases and joint pain. Some forms of arthritis inflame joints, while others don’t. Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is very painful.

Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Almost any joint in the body can be affected by gout—but in terms of feet, gout usually forms in the big toe. This is because the big toe handles a ton of pressure from walking and standing. Recent research also indicates that genetics may play a big role in determining who gets gout.

Can you massage gout away?

WebMD explains that while gout cannot be cured, it can be controlled with treatment. Anti-inflammatory drugs are one method, but in between gout attacks it can be helpful to receive massage therapy.