Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. It causes sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness, usually in one joint, especially the big toe.
Gout usually comes on without a cause. But it can be brought on by drinking alcohol (especially beer), eating or drinking things made with high-fructose corn syrup, or eating seafood or red meat. Taking certain medicines, such as diuretics, can also trigger an attack of gout.
Taking your medicines as prescribed and following up with your doctor regularly can help you avoid gout attacks in the future.
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. It causes sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness, usually in one joint. It happens most often in the big toe.
Gout usually comes on without a cause. But it can be brought on by drinking alcohol (especially beer), eating or drinking things made with high-fructose corn syrup, or eating seafood or red meat. Taking certain medicines, such as diuretics, can also trigger an attack of gout.
Gout develops from a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can cause a sudden attack of pain, stiffness, and swelling in a single joint, often a big toe. Another attack may not happen for months or years. If gout is not treated, the frequency of attacks usually increases.
The most common sign of gout is a nighttime attack of swelling, tenderness, redness, and intense pain in a joint, usually your big toe joint. It may get worse quickly and last for hours, a few days, or even weeks. Gout can affect how much you can move the affected the joint.
Medicines can help stop a gout attack and prevent future attacks. Resting the joint that hurts and taking anti-inflammatory medicine can also help you feel better.
Image courtesy of Paul Traughber, M.D., Boise, Idaho.
Figure 1 is an X-ray of a normal foot with healthy bones and joints.
Figure 2 is an X-ray of a deformed toe joint caused by long-term gout.
Medicines are used to treat gout attacks and to reduce uric acid in the blood.
Both short-term and long-term medicines may be used.
These relieve pain and reduce inflammation during an acute attack or prevent acute attacks from coming back.
They may include:
Medicines, such as allopurinol, lower uric acid levels in the blood. This can reduce how often you have gout attacks and how bad they are.
If your doctor prescribes medicine to lower uric acid levels, take it as directed. Most people will continue to take this medicine every day. Make sure you know how to take it.
There are things you can do at home to help relieve gout symptoms. To reduce joint swelling, try using ice and propping up your sore limb. It may also help to avoid activities that put weight or strain on your sore joint.
Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Hyperuricemia usually does no harm. But sometimes when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, uric acid forms crystals that build up in the joints. The crystals can cause a gout attack. A gout attack typically causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth (inflammation) in a single joint, most often the big toe.
Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Most of the time, having too much uric acid isn't harmful. Many people with high levels in their blood never get gout. But sometimes when these levels in your blood are too high, the uric acid forms hard crystals in your joints. This causes pain and other symptoms.
In some cases, the exact cause isn't known. But inherited factors (genes) seem to play a role.
Gout can seem to flare up without specific cause. Or it can be brought on by:
Gout is a form of arthritis. It usually occurs after years of buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and surrounding tissues. Gout usually happens in one joint, often the big toe.
When you have gout, you may eventually have a gout attack. These attacks usually start at night, with sudden burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
Medicines have largely replaced the need to restrict what you eat when you have gout. But making changes in your diet may still help.
To help control gout:
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