Everything You Should Know About Gout

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis, a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. It often affects the big toe but can occur in any joint. It typically affects only one joint at a time.²

These are the most frequent spots where gout develops:²

• The lesser toe joints
• The ankle
• The knee

Signs and Symptoms of Gout

The most common signs and symptoms that indicate you may have gout are:²

• A flare that starts suddenly and lasts for days or even weeks, followed by a period without symptoms
• Intense pain in a joint
• Swelling of the affected joint
• Heat or redness over the joint

Why do People have Gout?

People have gout because they have too much uric acid in the body. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, chemical compounds present in food, and our bodies. ²

Excess uric acid causes uric acid crystals to build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body. ²

It’s also important to understand that too much uric acid in the body does not always cause gout or require treatment.²

The following characteristics increase the risk of having gout: ²

• Male sex
• Being obese
• Having congestive heart failure, hypertension, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or poor kidney function
• Using diuretics
• Drinking alcohol
• Overeating fructose (a type of sugar)
• Having a diet rich in purines, including red meat, seafood, anchovies, sardines, scallops, and tuna

How do You Treat Gout?

If you’ve noticed the signs and symptoms discussed here, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. Your physician will ask you some questions to understand your diet and lifestyle habits a little bit more. You may also have to do a blood test to see uric acid levels in your blood.³

The treatment usually involves medication to manage the pain and reduce inflammation.^2,3 Your healthcare provider may prescribe:²

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, steroids, and anti-inflammatory medications like colchicine
• Diet and lifestyle changes to prevent future flares, including achieving a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and reducing the intake of purine-rich foods
• Preventive therapy to lower uric acid levels in the blood, such as allopurinol, febuxostat, and pegloticase

In conclusion

You can play an active role in controlling your gout by following your doctor’s recommendations. 

If you still have questions about gout, talk to your doctor. Make an appointment if you feel that something is not right with your joints’ health or if you need to do a regular check-up. Take care!

References

1. Singh, Gurkirpal, et al. “Gout and hyperuricaemia in the USA: prevalence and trends.” Rheumatology (Oxford, England) vol. 58,12 (2019): 2177-2180. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kez196
2. What is gout?CDC, 2020. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html. Access: 05/26/2022. 
3. Gout. NHS, 2020. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gout/. Access: 05/26/2022. 

Author

Uday Khosla, MD Uday M. Khosla, MD, is board certified in nephrology and hypertension and has served as a Houston kidney consultant since 2004. He currently practices as a renal specialist at Kidney360 - a nephrology practice located in Houston, TX serving the greater Katy, Sugar Land, Channelview, Pearland, Montrose, Downtown Houston, and Spring areas. Dr. Khosla is available as a kidney consultant in various settings, including in-hospital, outpatient clinics, outpatient dialysis, and home care.