What Is Gout? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Medication, Diet, Remedies

Content

• The Latest In Gout
• What Have Researchers Found About Medicines To Help Prevent Future Gout Attacks?

These conditions are studied by the Rare Inherited Kidney Disease Research Team at Wake Forest School of Medicine, led by Anthony Bleyer, M.D., M.S., a professor in the Section of Nephrology. The problem is more common in men, in women after menopause, and people who drink alcohol. Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling and inflammation. People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea face a higher risk of developing gout, the most common type of arthritis, according to new research. Rheumatoid arthritis , which occurs when the body releases too many inflammatory chemicals .

Foot Pain Slideshow Learn about common causes of foot pain such as bunions, corns, athlete's foot, plantar warts and more. Dehydration Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of dehydration include headache, lightheadedness, constipation, and bad breath.

The Latest In Gout

High uric levels can also lead to the formation of crystals in the kidneys. If you are disposed to kidney stones, it may be wise to seek the counsel of your healthcare provider. Medical researchers estimate that over half of the total number of gout cases involve acute pain and swelling of the metatarsal-phalangeal joint, which is located at the base of the big toe. Many people will have another attack in the next 6 to12 months.

What Have Researchers Found About Medicines To Help Prevent Future Gout Attacks?

People with gout also may have high blood pressure or kidney infections. Since these problems can cause kidney damage, your doctor will check for signs of these problems and treat them if they occur. Patients with acute gout typically experience an abrupt onset of severe joint pain, swelling, warmth and redness that peak in intensity within 24 hours.

How can you tell the difference between gout and arthritis?

Both cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints that can limit your range of motion. However, the cause differs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's own immune system attacks the joints, whereas the pain of gout is due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.

Causes of an elevated blood uric acid level include genetics, obesity, certain medications such as diuretics , and chronic decreased kidney function . It is important to recognize that although almost uniformly all patients with gout have hyperuricemia …all patients with hyperuricemia do not have gout. Dietary changes can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Since purine chemicals are converted by the body into uric acid, purine-rich foods should be avoided. Foods rich in purines include shellfish and organ meats, such as liver, brains, and kidneys.

If you’ve been experiencing gout pain and other symptoms, see your primary care doctor. Primary care physicians can often diagnose and treat gout or refer you to a rheumatologist or gout specialist for testing or treatment. The encouraging news is that almost all gout cases are treatable. In fact, gout is one of the few treatable and preventable forms of arthritis, an umbrella term for dozens of conditions that cause inflammation in the joints. The challenge is making sure people get the gout care they need and follow through on taking medications. As they gradually lose weight, their blood levels of uric acid often decrease but usually not enough to dissolve the uric acid deposits.

However, in September 2020, The Lancet published the FAST trial, which is a European trial very similar to the CARES trial, found a different result. Here, there was no difference in death rates in patients on febuxostat compared to those on allopurinol. Some have called for the FDA to reconsider its recommendations, but no changes made to date. The FAST trial gives considerable comfort to those patients presently on febuxostat.

Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight can relieve pain, improve function, and slow the progression of arthritis. In addition to medical treatment, you can manage your gout with self-management strategies. Self-management is what you do day to day to manage your condition and stay healthy, like making healthy lifestyle choices. The self-management strategies described below are proven to reduce pain and disability, so you can pursue the activities important to you.

September is Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month, which is held to raise awareness about arthritis, lupus, gout, and more than 100 forms of rheumatic diseases. While some studies show that caffeine can actually protect against gout pain, others find that sudden spikes in caffeine intake can trigger an attack. CorticosteroidsTaken orally or injected directly into affected joint, the most common corticosteroids used for gout are prednisone, prednisolone, andmethylprednisolone. Hard white deposits or lumps under the skin, called tophi, found on the elbows, ears, or fingers. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

Fortunately, there are many low-cost self-management strategies that are proven to improve the quality of life of people with gout. Get the latest scientific news and resources on diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin from the NIAMS. Always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. Putting ice on the affected area to help reduce swelling and pain.

Some people may have kidney stones before having their first attack of gout. Chronic kidney diseaseHigh levels of uric acid in the blood can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. If caught and treated early, people with gout can live a relatively normal life. Some patients do not respond to treatment because they fail to follow protocols, have alcoholism, or are undertreated by physicians. Sometimes an acute gouty arthritis attack has a sudden onset at nighttime. The big toe joint pain may be so severe that even the weight of bedsheets causes discomfort.

When Should You Call Your Doctor?

Kidneys Picture The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. See a picture of the Kidneys and learn more about the health topic. Feet Facts Quiz Did you know that certain shoes and common diseases can wreak havoc on your feet? If you've been having problems with your feet, this quiz is for you. Uric acid can deposit in the soft tissues, especially around joints, and cause nodules known as tophi, which can be large and unsightly. However, like other medications, they have potential side effects.