Gout is a general term for conditions caused by buildup of uric acid around joints, usually affecting the foot joints.
When someone has gout, they might feel swelling and pain in foot joints, especially the big toe. Gout attacks can cause sudden, intense pain like the foot is on fire.
This article covers gout symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Gout symptoms
Some people have high uric acid in blood without symptoms, called asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
In acute gout, symptoms can appear fast due to uric acid crystals in joints and usually last 3-10 days.
There can also be severe pain without swelling, with warmth in the joint. Symptoms may fully go away between attacks.
If gout is not treated, it can become chronic. Over time, big hard lumps called Tophi can form in the joints, skin, and soft tissues around them. Uric acid deposits can cause permanent joint damage.
So, immediate treatment is needed to stop gout from becoming a long-term illness.
Causes of Gout
Gout happens because uric acid builds up around the body's joints. This occurs when the body breaks down purines found naturally in some foods.
Also, some conditions like blood disorders, metabolism problems, anddehydrationcan cause the body to produce too much uric acid.
Besides that, other health issues like kidney problems, thyroid problems, or genetic disorders can make it hard to get rid of extra uric acid, which then builds up around the joints.
Also, there are some risks that can raise the chance of getting gout, including:
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Having a family history of gout.
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Taking certain medicines, like diuretics.
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Having high blood pressure.
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Kidney diseases.
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Thyroid gland diseases.
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Diabetes or prediabetes.
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Sleep apnea.
For some people, gout can happen from eating foods high in purines, which can include the following:-
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Red meats.
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Meat products.
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Some seafoods like salmon, shellfish, and mussels.
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Soda drinks.
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Sugary drinks.
How to diagnose gout
A healthcare provider can diagnose gout based on medical history, physical exam, and symptoms reported by the patient, along with some other factors, which include:-
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The patient's description of joint pain.
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How often the joint pain occurs.
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The degree of redness or swelling in the area.
Also, the provider may order tests to check for uric acid buildup in the joints by taking fluid from the joint and checking if it has uric acid.
Besides that, the provider might want to do an X-ray of the joint.
If a person shows gout symptoms, they can start by seeing a primary care provider, and if gout is severe, they might need to see a joint specialist.
Gout Disease Treatment
If gout is left untreated, it can eventually lead to gouty arthritis, which is a more severe form of arthritis. This painful condition can leave the joint permanently damaged and swollen.
The treatment plan recommended by the healthcare provider depends on the stage and severity of gout. The medications prescribed can work in two ways: relieving pain and reducing inflammation, or preventing future gout attacks by lowering uric acid levels.
- Medications for relieving gout pain include:-
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Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin.
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Colchicine.
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Corticosteroids.
- Medications that prevent gout attacks include:-
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Xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
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Probenecid.
Besides drugs, a healthcare provider might also suggest lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms and lower the chance of future gout attacks. These changes include:-
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Quitting smoking.
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Losing weight if you are overweight.
Surgery for treating gout disease
Gout is usually treated without surgery, but after many years, it can damage joints, wear tendons, and cause skin inflammation over joints.
Also, hard deposits of uric acid called tophi can build up on joints in other places, like the ear. These lumps can be painful and swollen and might cause permanent joint damage.
Surgeries that treat tophi might include:
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Tophi removal surgery.
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Joint fusion surgery.
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Joint replacement surgery.
Any of these surgeries depend on how bad the damage is, where the lumps are, and personal choices.
Preventing gout
You can take some steps that help prevent getting gout, These steps can include the following:
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Cutting down on foods high in purines.
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Eating low-fat foods.
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Maintaining a healthy weight.
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Doing regular physical activity.
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Keeping a healthy weight.
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Staying hydrated.
Also, if someone has a medical condition or takes medicine that raises gout risk, it's best to ask a healthcare provider how to lower the risk of gout attacks.
In the end, gout is often successfully treated and managed. A doctor might give meds to lower uric acid and reduce inflammation and pain. They also suggest diet and lifestyle changes to help stop flare-ups.
