A form of arthritis, gout is characterized by sudden attacks that often affect the joints within the big toe, although other joints in the body can be affected. During an attack, a person may experience swelling, pain, and redness in the affected joint.
The sudden an unpredictable nature of a gout attack makes the condition hard to manage. For instance, many people complain of being woken up in the middle of the night because of an attack, which causes sleep deprivation in addition to discomfort. That’s why finding the right treatment for gout is so crucial, as the proper treatment can help you deal with the effects of this common type of arthritis.
Gout is associated with a few different symptoms, including:
Keep in mind that attacks are most common at night and typically appear without warning.
Gout is linked to the body’s production of uric acid. When there are issues with the production or breakdown of uric acid, urate crystals can accumulate throughout the body. As urate crystals accumulate, they cause pain and dysfunction in joints and other areas of the body.
Factors that increase the levels of uric acid in the body also increase the risk of gout. These factors include:
For some people, gout is a recurring issue that causes attacks to happen repeatedly during the year. If symptoms are left untreated, a person’s joints may become irrevocably damaged. A person can also develop advanced gout, which causes nodules to form under the skin which often feel swollen and painful during attacks. Urate crystals are responsible for forming these nodules, and they can contribute to kidney stones when they form in the urinary tract.
It’s often possible to diagnose a patient with gout based on their symptoms and the appearance of the affected joint. However, doctors can use joint fluid tests to look for urate crystals. Blood testing can also be used, but it’s not fully reliable since some people have elevated uric acid levels but do not experience gout. A doctor may also use medical imaging to rule out other medical conditions.
Doctors often use medications to treat gout. Some medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, are used to treat attacks. These medications can also prevent attacks from occurring in the future. Other medications affect the production and processing of uric acid in the body. For instance, allopurinol reduces the production of uric acid, while probenecid aids the kidneys in removing uric acid.
Consider that not all joint pain is indicative of gout, as symptoms can resemble other forms of arthritis or joint conditions. That’s why it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. With early treatment and lifestyle adjustments many people can avoid gout attacks.