Gout Treatment, Diet, Cause, Symptoms, Definition & Medication

Content

• Treatment Overview
• Relieving Acute Flare
• Gout Causes
• Gout And Your Heart

This should be considered in those with signs of infection or those who do not improve with treatment. To help with diagnosis, a synovial fluid Gram stain and culture may be performed. Other conditions that can look similar include CPPD , rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, palindromic rheumatism, and reactive arthritis. Gouty tophi, in particular when not located in a joint, can be mistaken for basal cell carcinoma or other neoplasms. Although many people have their first gout attack in one of their big toes, gout attacks can also happen in other joints.

Although gout typically affects the big toe, other joints can also be involved. Usually, the first episodes of gout affect only one joint, but as the disease becomes more severe, the episodes can affect several joints at the same time. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause. Some other kinds of arthritis can mimic gout, so proper diagnosis is key. Acute attacks are typically followed by periods of no symptoms.

Treatment Overview

Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, is a particularly painful condition that affects millions of Americans. The pain is caused by inflammation in the joint induced by the deposition of sharp uric acid crystals. Uric acid is created when purines are metabolized or broken down by the body.

Treatment for gout mainly consists of taking medication and watching your diet. It usually affects one joint at a time--often the large joint of the big toe. It also can affect other joints such as the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist and elbow. In rare cases, it may later affect the shoulders, hips or spine. Sometimes a buildup can occur if too much uric acid is produced or the kidneys can’t properly dispose of it. Although gout can cause pain, it can be managed with proper treatment.

Relieving Acute Flare

Some people may never experience gout signs and symptoms again. Medications may help prevent gout attacks in people with recurrent gout. If left untreated, gout can cause erosion and destruction of a joint. Reaching and maintaining a proper weight is an important part of managing gout.

Why did I suddenly get gout?

This condition is triggered by high levels of uric acid in your blood. Uric acid is a natural compound in your body. However, if you have too much of it, sharp crystals of uric acid can collect in your joints. This causes a gout flare-up.

Although an acute gout attack will go away on its own even if you don’t treat it, gout that’s left untreated can eventually lead to more severe pain and joint damage. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a gout attack can help you prevent future attacks. The differential diagnosis for acute monoarticular joint swelling includes pseudogout, infection, and trauma. Pseudogout, or calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, can mimic gout in clinical appearance and may respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Findings of calcium pyrophosphate crystals and normal serum uric acid levels on joint fluid analysis can differentiate pseudogout from gout. Septic arthritis may present without a fever or elevated white blood cell count; arthrocentesis is required to distinguish this condition from acute gout.

Some foods like red meat, alcohol, and high-fructose corn syrup in sodas can raise your risks. Limiting foods that cause gout in your diet can protect you from this painful joint condition, a type of arthritis. Urate-lowering medications are the primary treatment for gout. These medications decrease the total amount of uric acid in the body and lower the serum uric acid level.

What does gout pain feel like?

If you have gout, you'll probably feel swelling and pain in the joints of your foot, particularly your big toe. Sudden and intense pain, or gout attacks, can make it feel like your foot is on fire.

Gout is most commonly seen in men, particularly those between the ages of 40 and 50. Six million adults age 20 and older have reported being diagnosed with gout according to theNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Most PlushCare articles are reviewed by M.D.s, Ph.Ds, N.P.s, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals.

Patients may need medications to lower their elevated blood uric acid levels that predispose to gout. Eating too much of these may increase uric acid levels in some people. Uric acid is produced when your body breaks down purines, which are substances naturally found in your body, as well as in protein-rich foods.

Colchicine is a type of pain reliever that reduces gout pain. Low-fat dairy products may protect against gout, so they make a great protein source. As gout progresses, your range of motion may become limited and you may not be able to move your joints normally.

Some symptoms of gout can be like other health conditions. Make sure to see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Gout is generally more severe in people whose initial symptoms appear before age 30. Metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease probably contribute to premature death in people with gout. X-rays may show joint damage and the presence of tophi. Doctors may also do ultrasonography or a special CT scan to check for uric acid deposits.