What Is Gout

Content

• What Are Causes Of Gout?
• Home Treatment
• Which Joints Are Involved In Gouty Arthritis, And Why Is It Most Common In The Foot?
• Who Should Diagnose And Treat Gout?
• To Treat An Acute Attack

When properly treated, most cases of gout will not progress to this disabling stage. Fortunately, gout attacks can be controlled and treated with medication. In almost all cases, it is possible to successfully treat gout and bring a gradual end to attacks. Treatment also can decrease the number and size of tophi . Gout treatments exist, but therapy should be tailored for each person. Intensely painful, swelling joints and/or bouts of arthritis that come and go may indicate gout.

It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. Acute flare-ups can strike suddenly, often at night, and last from days to weeks.

What Are Causes Of Gout?

Obesity can be linked to high uric acid levels in the blood. If you are overweight, work with your doctor to develop a weight-loss program. Don't fast or try to diet too severely because that can raise your uric acid level and make the gout worse. If you are not overweight, watch your diet carefully so you don't become overweight.

British people are five times more likely to develop gout than others. Gout pain relief is possible with proper diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. Eicosapentaenoic acid is known to reduce chronic inflammation. It has not yet been studied to see whether it can help reduce inflammation from gout.

Home Treatment

The painful symptoms of gout can be alleviated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which can reduce both pain and inflammation around the joints, according to theUniversity of Maryland. Depending on the severity of the flare-ups, patients can be treated with over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen , or naproxen or with prescription-strength painkillers such as indomethacin . Although many people have their first gout attack in one of their big toes, gout attacks can also happen in other joints.

What is the best thing to drink if you have gout?

Drink plenty of water, milk and tart cherry juice. Drinking coffee seems to help as well. Be sure to talk with your doctor before making any dietary changes.

Attacks then snowball in frequency, occurring several times annually. Compared with the dramatic nature of acute gout pain, chronic gout pain is more of a soreness or persistent ache. Perhaps the biggest problem with the uric acid–lowering therapy is sticking with it.

Not Just The Big Toe: The Most Common Places Gout Harms

Losing weight too rapidly can occasionally precipitate gout attacks. If one has been diagnosed with gout and has had more than one attack of arthritis, take the medication prescribed by a physician for these attacks. The individual should be seen by a physician, in the emergency department, or urgent care center if the attack does not respond to this treatment. The individual may need regular medications to prevent further arthritis flares. With time, attacks of gouty arthritis can occur more frequently and may last longer.

Gout is rare in most other animals due to their ability to produce uricase, which breaks down uric acid. Humans and other great apes do not have this ability; thus, gout is common. Other animals with uricase include fish, amphibians and most non-primate mammals. The Tyrannosaurus rex specimen known as "Sue" is believed to have suffered from gout. This is believed to be partly due to their effect in reducing insulin resistance.

The most common joint involved is in the foot at the base of the big toe where swelling can be associated with severe tenderness, but almost any joint can be involved . In some people, the acute pain is so intense that even a bed sheet on the toe causes severe pain. Acute gouty arthritis at the base of the big toe is referred to as podagra. No matter the location of gout attacks, the treatment is the same—lower uric acid levels so gout crystals disappear and tophi dissolve. Your doctor can test your urine and blood to determine your current levels.

Who Should Diagnose And Treat Gout?

Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program on this website. The black arrows point to places where bone has worn away. The joint that is affected is typically red and swollen. However, it can affect small joints like those in the finger, as well as large joints, such as the knee and hip. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed.