Understanding gout

Though many people might have heard of gout, few might actually know gout is a type of arthritis. Although less prevalent than other types of arthritis, gout is still somewhat common and can be quite painful just like any other arthritis.

People familiar with gout but who do not have it themselves might have had a relative with the condition, which is most common in men. Gout can run in families, so concerned men and women would be wise to understand gout to reduce their risks of developing this often painful condition.

What is gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood, causing inflammation of the joints. The big toe often bears the initial brunt of the pain resultant from gout, which can cause sudden attacks of burning, pain and stiffness. If these attacks go untreated, they can harm joints, tendons and other tissues. Acute gout will be painful, but likely only affect one joint. Chronic gout may involve more than one joint and is characterized by repeated episodes of pain and inflammation.

What causes gout?

What causes uric acid to build up in the body is not always known, and many times excessive uric acid is not harmful. The body can simply make too much uric acid or have difficulty getting rid of it. When too much uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints, uric acid crystals can form, causing inflammation and swelling of the joints.

Who gets gout?

Just because a person has high uric acid in their blood does not mean he or she has gout. In fact, many people have higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in their blood and never develop gout. The people most susceptible to gout are those who are overweight or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. People with diabetes, sickle cell anemia or other anemias, kidney disease, or leukemia and other blood cancers may also be more susceptible to gout. Gout is also more common in men, but women, especially those after menopause, can still develop gout. Some medicines, including diuretics, can also bring on gout.

Are there symptoms of gout?

When a person is suffering from gout, the pain will often begin suddenly during the night. This pain can be significant, and many who have had gout have described the pain as throbbing or excruciating. The affected joint may appear warm and red and will likely be very tender, so much so that even laying a bedsheet over the affected joint will prove painful.

Attacks may go away after a few days, but many people with gout will have another attack, even if the attacks are years apart. Some may even develop chronic gout, which can lead to joint damage and loss of motion in the joints.

How is gout diagnosed?

Doctors may conduct a handful of tests if they suspect you have gout. These tests can include joint X-rays; a blood test to check levels of uric acid in the blood; a urine test to determine if uric acid levels in your urine are high; or a synovial biopsy in which a piece of the tissue lining the affected joint is removed to determine if there are any inflammatory conditions.

How is gout treated?

If the doctor has diagnosed a gout attack, then he or she might give you a shot of corticosteroids, which will be injected into the inflamed joint to relieve the pain. Other treatment options include prescription medicines or even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. Aspirin, however, might raise uric acid levels in the blood, which can make the attack worse. Upon treatment, a gout attack will likely go away within 12 to 48 hours, though treatment might not prevent another attack in the future.

Can an attack be prevented?

Prevention options should be discussed with your physician, but lifestyle changes, including changes to your diet, can help prevent another attack. Eating more carbohydrates while limiting how much meat you consume can prevent another attack. Avoiding alcohol is another preventive measure.

Men and women who want to lose weight to prevent another attack should do so slowly, as rapid weight loss may result in the formation of uric acid kidney stones.

When treated properly, men and women with gout can return to living a normal life. Consult your physician if you feel any of the aforementioned symptoms or if you suspect you might have gout.