Treatment FAQ

what causes gout? what is the treatment?

by Matt Mitchell Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Gout is caused by a build-up of a substance called uric acid in the blood. If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys don't filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful.May 11, 2022

Symptoms

What are the best ways to manage gout

  • Talk to your doctor. Research shows that if you’ve had one attack of gout, you’re likely to have repeat attacks. ...
  • Stay at a healthy weight for you. ...
  • Foods high in purines. ...
  • Drink alcohol in moderation. ...
  • Drink a glass of skimmed milk a day... ...
  • Help and support. ...

Causes

List of Foods to Eat with Gout (High Uric Acid)

  • Fruits for Gout
  • Vegetables for Gout
  • Fruit Juice best for Gout. Apple Juice. ...
  • Beverages for Gout Patient. Coconut Water (fresh). ...
  • Cereals, Grains & Pseudocereal for Gout
  • Legumes for Gout
  • Nuts & Seeds for Gout. Soaked and Peeled Almonds. ...
  • Oils & Fats for Gout. Fresh Coconut. ...
  • Dairy Products for Gout. ...
  • Animal Foods (Meat & Eggs) for Gout. ...

Prevention

These test help your doctor know if you have gout, or something else with similar symptoms:

  • Joint fluid test. Fluid is taken from the painful joint with a needle. The fluid is studied under a microscope to see if the crystals are there.
  • Blood test. A blood test can check the level of uric acid. ...
  • X-ray. Images of the joints will help rule out other problems.
  • Ultrasound. This painless test uses sound waves to look for areas of uric acid deposits.

Complications

Which Medicines Treat Gout?

  • Get Answers, Advice and Medicine. The pain from a gout attack usually gets better in 3 to 10 days. ...
  • Nonprescription Medicines. NSAIDs help reduce pain and swelling in the joints during a gout attack. ...
  • Prescription Medicines. Allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim) reduces uric acid production. ...
  • Preventive Measures. ...

What are the best ways to manage gout?

Which foods are safe for gout?

How do I know if I have gout?

What medicines are good for gout?

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What is the main cause of gout disease?

Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia, where there is too much uric acid in the body. The body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in your body and the foods you eat.

What is the main treatment for gout?

During an acute gout attack, the main priority of drug treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation. There are three categories of drugs used for this: NSAIDs, colchicine, and corticosteroids. Two other types of medications are taken daily to help prevent future gout attacks: xanthine oxidase inhibitors and probenecid.

What causes gout and can it be cured?

Gout is a painful form of arthritis. When your body has extra uric acid, sharp crystals may form in the big toe or other joints, causing episodes of swelling and pain called gout attacks. Gout is treatable with medications and changes in diet and lifestyle.

What are the 10 foods that trigger gout?

The top 10 foods and drinks that trigger gout are:Sugary drinks and sweets. ... High fructose corn syrup. ... Alcohol. ... Organ meats. ... Game meats. ... Certain seafood, including herring, scallops, mussels, codfish, tuna, trout and haddock.Red meats, including beef, lamb pork and bacon.Turkey.More items...•

What are the warning signs of gout?

7 Gout Symptoms You Might Be IgnoringPain in your big toe. ... Pain in your knees, ankles, wrists, and/or elbows. ... Intense pain that strikes in the middle of the night. ... Pain that occurs in flares: rapidly worsens, then starts to ease up. ... Fatigue/lack of energy. ... Strange lumps and bumps around your joints. ... Kidney stones.More items...•

What is the best vitamin for gout?

Rev up the Vitamin C Some studies show that vitamin C can help lower uric acid levels in people who have gout, while a 2009 study showed that the more vitamin C men took, the less likely they were to get gout. Vitamin C is readily available in supplements as well as in common foods.

How long does gout last for?

An attack of gout usually lasts 5 to 7 days, then gets better. It may not cause lasting damage to joints if you get treatment immediately. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if: the pain is getting worse.

What foods help lower uric acid?

In fact, here are six foods that can reduce uric acid naturally:Bananas. If you have developed gout because of high uric acid, then having a banana everyday can reduce lower uric acid in your blood, thereby reducing your risk of gout attacks. ... Apples. ... Cherries. ... Coffee. ... Citrus fruits. ... Green tea.

How to prevent gout?

Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent gout: Limit how much alcohol you drink. Limit how much purine-rich food, such as shellfish, lamb, beef, pork, and organ meat, you eat. Eat a low-fat, nondairy diet that’s rich in vegetables. Lose weight.

What causes gout attacks?

high blood pressure. kidney disease. Sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint which of these factors is behind your gout attacks. Keeping a diary is one way to track your diet, medications, and health to help identify the cause of your symptoms.

Why does gout cause uric acid?

The buildup of uric acid in your blood from the breakdown of purines causes gout. Certain conditions, such as blood and metabolism disorders or dehydration, make your body produce too much uric acid. A kidney or thyroid problem, or an inherited disorder, can make it harder for your body to remove excess uric acid.

How does gout affect the body?

Genes associated with gout affect the amount of uric acid the body holds onto and releases. Because of genetic factors, gout runs in families. People with a parent, sibling, or other close relative who has gout are more likely to get this condition themselves. It’s likely that genes only set the stage for gout.

What does it feel like to have gout?

This buildup usually affects your feet. 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.

Why does my big toe hurt?

After the acute attack, it may subside to a dull ache. The pain, as well as swelling and other symptoms, are the result of the body launching a defense (by the immune system) against uric acid crystals in the joints.

What medications can help with gout?

Drugs that prevent gout attacks include: xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric) probenecid (Probalan) Along with medications, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of future gout attacks.

How to treat gout attacks?

However, lifestyle choices also are important, and you may want to: Choose healthier beverages. Limit alcoholic beverages and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose).

How to get rid of gout in the body?

Low-fat dairy products may be a better source of protein for people prone to gout. Exercise regularly and lose weight. Keeping your body at a healthy weight reduces your risk of gout. Choose low-impact activities such as walking, bicycling and swimming — which are easier on your joints.

What medications block uric acid production?

Medications that block uric acid production. Drugs such as allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric) help limit the amount of uric acid your body makes. Side effects of allopurinol include fever, rash, hepatitis and kidney problems. Febuxostat side effects include rash, nausea and reduced liver function. Febuxostat also may increase the risk of heart-related death.

What is the best medication for gout?

Drugs used to treat gout flares and prevent future attacks include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include over-the-counter options such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), as well as more-powerful prescription NSAIDs such as indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex) or celecoxib (Celebrex).

How do doctors diagnose gout?

Doctors usually diagnose gout based on your symptoms and the appearance of the affected joint. Tests to help diagnose gout may include:

What is the best way to diagnose joint inflammation?

X-ray imaging. Joint X-rays can be helpful to rule out other causes of joint inflammation.

What foods are good for gout?

Purine-rich seafood includes anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout and tuna. Low-fat dairy products may be a better source of protein for people prone to gout. Exercise regularly and lose weight.

How to prevent gout?

You can make certain lifestyle changes to help prevent gout: Drink plenty of water to help your kidneys function better and avoid dehydration. Exercise regularly to stay at a healthy weight. Extra weight increases uric acid in your body and puts more stress on joints.

What is the best way to treat gout?

You take steroids by mouth or with an injection. Drugs that help lower levels of uric acid in your body to prevent or reduce future episodes of gout attacks: Allopurinol, taken as a pill. Febuxostat, taken as a pill. Pegloticase, given as an intravenous (in the vein) infusion. Probenecid, taken as a pill.

How does gout affect the body?

Gout is a painful form of arthritis. Extra uric acid in your body creates sharp crystals in the joints, leading to swelling and extreme tenderness. Gout usually starts in the big toe but can affect other joints. Gout is a treatable condition, and the uric acid level can be decreased by medication and lifestyle changes. Talk to your healthcare provider about medications that can reduce uric acid levels. They can also discuss changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle to prevent and reduce gout attacks.

Why does my big toe hurt?

It’s due to a crystal called uric acid. Gout causes pain and swelling in one or more joints. It typically affects the big toe. But it’s also found in other joints, including the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist and elbow.

Why do men get gout?

Women reach these uric acid levels after menopause. People are more likely to get gout if they have: Obesity, or a lot of extra weight.

What to do if you feel pain in your joints?

If you experience sudden, intense pain in a joint, call a healthcare provider right away. If the joint is hot and inflamed, you might have gout — or you might have another problem like an infection.

How do you know if you have gout?

During a gout attack, symptoms in the affected joint (s) may include: Intense pain. Redness. Stiffness. Swelling. Tenderness, even to light touch, such as from a bedsheet. Warmth, or a feeling like the joint is “on fire.”.

How to manage gout?

You can do many things to help manage gout, such as: Losing weight, which helps reduce urate levels and can help stop or lower the number of flares you have if you are overweight or obese. Making diet changes, such as: Drinking less alcohol, including nonalcoholic beer.

How to reduce swelling in gout?

When you have a gout flare, you can help reduce symptoms from the flare by: Putting ice on the affected area to help reduce swelling and pain. Elevating the affected limb, if possible, to help reduce swelling. Resting the affected joint.

How long does gout flare up?

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints, usually as flares that last for a week or two , and then go away. With early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes, gout is one of the most controllable forms of arthritis. The most common symptom of gout is pain in the affected joint, such as the big toe.

What causes a needle shaped crystal in the toe?

When this happens, needle-shaped crystals form in and around the joint. This leads to inflammation and arthritis of the joint.

How to prevent gout flares?

Prevent future flares. Stop damage to your joints. Care for other conditions or complications that happen with gout. Your doctor may recommend: Taking medications to manage the cause of your gout and treat active gout flares. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle.

What are the best doctors for gout?

Health care providers who may provide treatment for gout include: Rheumatologists, who specialize in arthritis and other diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles. Dietitians, who can teach you about how to follow a healthy diet to improve your health. Nurse educators, who specialize in helping people understand their overall condition ...

What does it feel like to have gout?

Gout flares often start suddenly at night, and the intense pain may wake you up. In addition, your joint may feel swollen, red, warm, and stiff.

What are the causes of gout?

4. Intake of Diuretics. Another important factor that triggers gout is the intake of diuretics. These diuretics leads to the stoppage of uric acid secretion from the kidneys as it reabsorbs all the uric acid that is about to be eliminated thus causing the uric acid levels to rise to larger levels.

Why do people get gout attacks?

People having the habit of drinking too much alcohol and having lots of fish and meat are prone to get affected by gout attacks as these drinks and food come with a lot of dangerous gout causing chemicals called purines. When you intake a lot of purines, these purines are broken down into urate crystals that get deposited in the joints, knees and ankles to cause gout. Another major cause of gout is by genetic ways, as there are chances of you getting attacked by gout, if any of your members in your family have already been diagnosed with gout.

What foods increase uric acid?

Foods rich in purine like red meat, turkey, some vegetables like cauliflower, spinach and soybeans are known to increase your uric acid levels in your blood. 3. Sugary Beverages rich in Fructose.

What causes uric acid build up in the body?

1. Kidney Problems. Generally, the excess uric acid in your body is eliminated with the help of your kidneys and if you have any problems with your kidneys then the elimination of uric acid becomes a problem. This will lead to the build-up of uric acid in your body and will lead to gout attacks. 2.

Why does gout hurt?

One of the main causes of painful gout attacks is the sudden increase of uric acid in your blood. When the level of uric acid increases, it tends to develop into some form of urate crystals and gets deposited over your joints. One of the major sources for higher levels of production of uric acid is either through dietary sources or through ...

What foods cause gout?

Foods that are rich in purines, main gout causing chemicals include red meat, sugary beverages, asparagus, spinach, turkey, beer, herring and scallops.

Why is uric acid high in gout?

When it comes to what causes gout, higher levels of uric acid in your body may be caused due to various reasons including obesity, diet pattern, genetic reasons etc. Higher levels of uric acid are also termed as Hyperuricaemia.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Shreenidhi Kulkarni
Symptoms
If you are experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

Major symptom includes sudden attack of severe foot pain in joints, mainly the big toe. Most commonly attacks during the night and tends to wake you up from a sound sleep.

Other symptoms include:

  • Tender joints
  • Warm in the joints
  • Joint redness
  • Swelling
  • Joint destruction

Causes

The risk factors which causes excess uric acid include:

  • Caused due to accumulation of uric acid crystals, called urate, in the joints.
  • Excess consumption of meat and seafood
  • Obesity
  • Certain conditions like heart disease, kidney disease
  • Family history
  • Age - common for above 50 years of age
  • Certain medications
  • The risk factors include:
  • Obesity
  • Family history of gout
  • Age - It usually affects between the ages of 30 and 50
  • Sex - Men are more likely to develop gout

Prevention

Lifestyle modifications can prevent gout attack:

  • Drink plenty of water and avoid sweetened drinks.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption – limit or avoid alcohol consumption completely.
  • Consume low-fat dairy products – intake protein through low fat dairy products. These are effective against gout.
  • Limit the consumption of meat, fish and poultry
  • Maintain a healthy weight.

Complications

People with gout may develop complications if untreated

Advanced gout:

  • If untreated, uric acid crystals can get deposited under the skin in nodules called as tophi
  • This can be present in fingers, hands, feet, elbows or Achilles, etc.
  • Usually painless, during gout attacks these may become swollen and tender

Recurrent gout:

  • For some people gout may reoccur again multiple times a year, this could damage the joints

Kidney Stone:

  • Uric acid crystals deposited on the kidney tubules can cause kidney stones

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

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