What Gout Patients Need to Know

Gout is a painful and acute onset of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid (a normal waste product in your body) in the blood. When uric acid is elevated in the blood, it can accumulate in your joints and trigger an inflammatory response that causes severe pain and swelling. Gout often affects one joint at a time (the big toe is a common place for gout to start), but over time it can affect many joints as well as other parts of the body, especially when it is not properly treated.

With gout, you’ll have swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness to the touch in your joints, says Konstantinos Loupasakis, MD, a rheumatologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. During gout flares, pain can be so excruciating that you can’t even tolerate bedsheets touching that joint.

“When you have an acute gout flare up, you can’t move,” says Puja Khanna, MD, associate professor in the division of rheumatology, department of internal medicine at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Gout is her area of practice. “Uric acid is sitting in your joints, causing chronic inflammation. Your joints are getting more and more disabled.”

After treatment with steroids like prednisone and NSAIDs, pain will usually subside within a few days. Repeat gout flares can lead to chronic joint damage, where bones get eroded and the joint space narrows. “Chronic complications happen after repetitive untreated attacks,” Dr. Loupasakis says. “You can permanently damage your range of motion. We want to prevent this from happening. It’s harder to treat when we reach this point of damage.”

Dr. Khanna says that some patients think they can go to their primary care physician and get treatment for a gout flare. They’re not told that gout is a chronic condition like diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, she says. “I make them aware that gout is chronic. And if you have a chronic condition, you treat it,” she says. “If they aren’t aware it’s chronic, then they think they can pop an ibuprofen and that’s it. ”

Proper treatment of gout is crucial. In addition to treating an acute gout attack, preventively lowering uric acid levels with medication can prevent gout flares and the long-term complications that go with them. Medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors limit the amount of uric acid your body produces. These include allopurinol (Zyloprim and Aloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric). Another class of drugs called uricosurics help your kidneys remove uric acid from the body. These include probenecid (Probalan) and lesinurad (Zurampic). An infused drug called pegloticase (Krystexxa) can help the body eliminate uric acid in people whose gout hasn’t been well controlled with other medication.

Properly treating gout with medication, as well as with lifestyle changes, can help prevent a host of gout-related complications, also known as comorbidities. It’s important to understand all the possible gout comorbidities and complications. Once you read through this list of gout complications, bring up any questions or concerns you have with your doctor. You may need to create a health care team of different specialists, such as seeing a rheumatologist and a nephrologist — or facilitate better communication between them to ensure you’re getting optimal care for your gout and its comorbidities.

Common Gout Complications and Comorbidities

1. Gout and Tophi

Tophi develop in up to about one-third of people who have gout. Tophi are clumps of urate crystals and inflammatory cells that form under the skin when you have gout. They are more likely to occur in people with gout for a longer period of time or whose gout is not well-controlled. Gout tophi can occur in the hands, feet, wrists, ankles, eyes, ears, nose, and even heart valves.

Gout tophi feel like hard bumps beneath the skin. “They can be painful due to their size, like walking on a marble. But they can also be painless,” says John Fitzgerald, MD, a rheumatologist who practices in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California and whose research focuses on gout.

Gout tophi aren’t just an aesthetic problem. As tophi grow, they can erode the joints and surrounding skin and tissue, causing damage and eventual joint destruction. “They can start to get bigger and burst open through the skin,” says Dr. Khanna. Tophi are also prone to infections that require antibiotics. If gout tophi get infected or too large, they need to be surgically removed.

Keeping uric acid levels at a healthy level is the best way to prevent gout tophi. “By treating the hyperuricemia [excess of uric acid in the blood], you prevent crystal growth/deposition. Lowering uric acid can make the tophi crystals dissolve,” says Dr. Fitzgerald.

2. Gout and Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are one of the most common gout complications. They affect about one in five people with gout. If urate crystals collect and build in your urinary tract, they can form kidney stones. Symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Severe pain in the side and back below the ribs
• Pain when urinating
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin

“The pain in the back and into the groin may be extremely severe,” says Daniel Furst, MD, a UCLA and University of Florence rheumatology professor who practices in Los Angeles and Seattle. “Women compare it to the pain of childbirth.” For people with a history of kidney stones, doctors usually recommend passing about 2.5 liters of urine a day. Your doctor may ask that you measure your urine output to make sure that you’re drinking enough water.

To prevent uric acid stones from gout, doctors commonly prescribe the uric acid-lowering medication allopurinol. “It reduces production of urate and thus reduces the amount of urate both in the joints and in the urine,” says Theodore R. Fields, MD, FACP, rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. In some cases, allopurinol and an alkalizing agent may dissolve the uric acid stones. To help prevent calcium stones from forming, your doctor may prescribe a thiazide diuretic or a phosphate-containing preparation.

3. Gout and Kidney Disease

One in 10 people with chronic kidney disease have gout, and an even higher percentage of people with gout have kidney disease. “Uric acid is processed through the kidneys,” says Dr. Khanna. “As we grow older, the kidneys can’t process as much uric acid,” says Dr. Khanna. Damage from urate crystals can lead to kidney disease over time, especially if gout is not well-treated.

Initial symptoms of kidney disease include tiredness, weakness, and decreased energy, says Dr. Furst. However, the kidneys are amazing in their ability to compensate for problems in their function so chronic kidney disease may progress without symptoms for a long time. When decrease in kidney function is severe, people can have symptoms like ankle swelling, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

That’s why ongoing monitoring of kidney function in gout patients is so important. “It’s important to pick up changes in kidney function early in gout, so that efforts can be made to preserve remaining function, such as by controlling blood pressure,” says Dr. Fields. “Gout medications may need dosage adjustment if kidney function changes.”

4. Gout and Heart Disease

Gout and cardiovascular disease commonly occur together. In a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers from Duke University studied data from more than 17,000 patients, including 1,406 who had gout at the start of the study and were being treated for cardiovascular risk factors. After following patients for an average of 6.4 years, researchers found that the risk of dying of cardiovascular disease or having a heart attack or stroke was 15 percent higher among those with gout than in patients who never developed gout. Patients who had gout at any point during the study had a two-fold increased risk of heart failure death compared to people who never developed gout.

Gout causes inflammation in the joints and the rest of the body; inflammation is also a risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease prevention strategies include maintaining a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and better cardiovascular risk assessment. Your doctor may recommend more frequent screening tests or more aggressive management of other heart disease risk factors that also occur with gout, such as high blood pressure.

5. Gout and Diabetes

A study published in the journal the Annals of the Rheumatic Disease found that gout may be independently associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why gout and diabetes are related, though inflammation may be a common factor. If you’re overweight or obese, you’re more likely to have both gout and type 2 diabetes. Excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to both gout and diabetes.

Maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits can prevent and manage diabetes and gout. Foods low in calories and fat but high in fiber (fruits, veggies and whole grains) can help lower your risk of diabetes. Drink at least eight cups of water a day; staying hydrated can help you keep healthy blood sugar levels. If you’re overweight, aim to lose weight. Cardio and strength training exercise is especially beneficial for lowering blood sugar levels.

6. Gout and Sleep Issues

Since gout attacks often happen at night, people with gout are awoken from sleeping. Pain from gout can prevent you from falling back to sleep. That sleep deprivation can lead to increased stress, mood swings, fatigue, and other health problems. In a survey of gout patients published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, nearly a quarter of respondents described frequent sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness.

Gout is also connected with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that occurs when your airway becomes temporarily and briefly blocked while you sleep. People with obstructive sleep apnea are often known to also have high uric acid levels, a gout risk factor. In a study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, researchers found that those with sleep apnea were at an increased risk of developing gout.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness, fatigue, snoring, difficulty concentrating, restlessness during sleep, and gasping for air while sleeping. People with sleep apnea experience many small interruptions in breathing while they sleep, and this lowers the level of oxygen in their blood. This is thought to affect a process that elevates the production of uric acid in the body, which raises gout risk.

7. Gout and Mental Health

The chronic pain associated with repeated gout attacks can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. Gout can cause severe pain that can make it tough for you to get around, go to work, and complete daily tasks. That impact on your daily life can impacts patients’ mental, social, and physical well-being.

“It’s not just about functionality and disability, but also how patients view themselves,” says Dr. Khanna. “I talk to patients about the fact that gout is treatable, and it’s possible to stay completely flare-free if they take their medications.”

8. Gout and Bone Loss

When you have gout, you’re more prone to osteopenia and osteoporosis factures. A study in the journal Medicine found that the overall rate of bone fracture in people with gout was nearly 23 percent, which was higher than that of those without gout.

In the early phases of thinning bones, called osteopenia, and even in more advanced osteoporosis, people don’t have symptoms unless they develop a bone fracture. “That’s why it’s important for women at the time of menopause and men with gout or other osteoporosis risk factors at least by age 65 to get a bone density test,” says Dr. Fields. “This will detect bone thinning and lead to treatment.”

If you have gout and other osteoporosis risk factors, ask your doctor about when you should start screening for bone mineral density. If you’re found to have thinning bones, you may be prescribed medications to prevent further bone loss, such as bisphosphonates. These include alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), bandronate (Boniva), and zoledronic acid (Reclast).

Keep Reading

• 6 Diseases that Can Mimic Gout (and Delay a Diagnosis)
• The Gout Risk Factors and Causes You Need to Know About
• What’s the Difference Between Gout and Pseudogout?

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Gout: Complications and long-term management

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis. It can occur when high levels of uric acid, a waste product, build up in the blood. This causes swelling and joint pain. Complications of gout include joint damage, kidney damage, and bone loss.

This excess uric acid causes needle-shaped crystals to form around joints, leading to inflammation in and around the joints.

People may notice gout symptoms in one joint at a time, and the condition can often start in the big toe. Without proper treatment, individuals may experience symptoms in more joints throughout the body over time.

Gout can cause the following symptoms around the joints:

• swelling
• redness
• warmth
• tenderness
• pain, which may feel excruciating if anything touches the joint
• difficulty moving

Symptoms of gout can come and go. People with the condition may have a flare-up where they experience symptoms that may last for 1–2 weeks then resolve.

Gout will not directly cause death, but it may lead to life threatening complications without proper treatment.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, gout can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Although several factors may cause this, a buildup of uric acid crystals may damage blood vessels.

Gout also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, with a 71% increase for females and a 22% increase for males. This may be due to high levels of inflammation. People with gout may also be more likely to be overweight and have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Gout may also increase the risk of moderate kidney disease by 78%. Without treatment, kidney disease may progress to kidney failure.

Additionally, gout may double the risk of sleep apnea, a condition that affects breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea can increase the risk of serious health problems, including:

• obesity
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart attack
• stroke

Tophi are collections of urate crystals consisting of uric acid buildup, which can develop on joints and cartilage. These hardened crystals can cause bumps of varying sizes to form on parts of the body, including the:

• fingers and hands
• feet and toes
• ankles
• elbows
• the ears

Tophi is a sign of chronic gout and can develop in people who have frequent gout flares. Although tophi are not usually painful, they can cause joint damage, making it more difficult to move the joints.

Tophi can also lead to complications without treatment. If they contract an infection or press on a nerve, it can cause pain and be dangerous.

Treatment

Lowering uric acid levels helps treat tophi. This may involve medication, such as allopurinol, which reduces uric acid in the body. To get rid of the tophi, a doctor may increase the dosage of uric-acid lowering medications to prevent the uric acid from crystallizing.

Treatment for tophi can take time, and people may not notice a reduction in the size of the tophi until several months of treatment. In severe cases, individuals may require surgery to remove tophi.

Chronic gout can cause frequent swelling of the joints and chronic inflammation, which can cause joint damage. People may also experience stiffness and deformity.

Treatment

It is important to keep gout flare-ups under control to help prevent joint damage. The Arthritis Foundation recommends the following steps to control swelling due to gout quickly:

• Make an appointment with a doctor to assess the condition.
• Apply ice to the joint and elevate it.
• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, and avoid alcohol or sugary sodas.
• Try and manage or reduce stress, which can worsen gout flare-ups.
• Ask for help with any tasks that could put extra strain on the joints.

In addition, certain medications can help lower inflammation and shorten a gout flare, including:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• corticosteroids
• colchicine

In severe cases, people may require surgery to repair joint damage or replace severely damaged joints.

Some researchers have claimed that gout may cause an increased risk of bone fractures, although there is some controversy around this claim.

Researchers in a 2016 study concluded that their findings suggested there was indeed a higher risk of bone fracture in people with a history of gout.

The researchers noted that participants with gout who were taking medication for the condition, namely allopurinol and benzbromarone, had lower instances of bone fractures than those who were not.

Treatment

If people have gout and bone loss, certain medications, called bisphosphonates, can help reduce or prevent further bone loss. These include:

• alendronate
• risedronate
• ibandronate
• zoledronic acid

People with gout have an increased risk of developing kidney stones. High levels of uric acid can cause urate crystals to collect in the urinary tract and form them. Symptoms of kidney stones include:

• severe pain in the back, groin, lower abdomen, or side below the ribs
• pain when urinating
• brown, red, or pink urine

Treatment

If people have kidney stones from gout, doctors may use a drug called allopurinol and an alkalizing substance to dissolve the urate stone.

The kidneys remove waste products, such as uric acid, from the body. When there are high levels of uric acid, the kidneys can struggle to process the excess levels.

If uric acid crystals build up in the kidneys, it can impair kidney function and may lead to kidney disease or kidney failure.

In the early stages of kidney disease, it can cause people to feel fatigued, and they may feel tired, weak, or have low energy. As kidney disease progresses, individuals may experience:

• swelling of the ankles
• nausea
• fatigue
• a loss of appetite

Treatment

Treatment can help reduce and slow damage to the kidneys. Treatments can include:

• taking medications to lower uric acid levels, such as allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid
• reducing foods high in purine, such as organ meats and shellfish
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding smoking and certain supplements, such as niacin (vitamin B-3)
• exercising regularly and maintaining a moderate weight
• controlling any other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes

Although eye issues are a rare complication of gout, uric acid crystals may affect parts of the eyes, including the eyelid, cornea, and iris. Tophi can also affect other areas of the eyes, such as the upper eyelid.

Treatment

Treating gout by lowering uric acid levels and inflammation can help treat any eye problems resulting from gout. Prompt treatment of flare-ups is important, and it usually involves using anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids.

Dietary and lifestyle changes and medications to lower uric acid levels can also help.

The following steps can help reduce the risk of gout complications:

• limiting or avoiding foods high in purine, alcohol, and sweet fruit drinks to reduce uric acid buildup
• taking medications to lower uric acid or accelerate its removal
• drinking plenty of water
• getting regular kidney function and bone density tests to check for early signs of any problems
• eating a nutritious, balanced diet
• maintaining a moderate weight
• engaging in regular exercise
• controlling any additional conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes

Dietary and lifestyle changes, such as the ones above, may help manage gout and reduce the risk of frequent gout flare-ups.

To manage gout and help prevent flare-ups, people may need long-term management with low, regular doses of medication to control uric acid levels. Individuals may need to take colchicine along with one of the following:

• allopurinol
• febuxostat
• probenecid

If uric acid levels are still especially high and the above medications are not effective at their maximum recommended dosages, an intravenous dose of pegloticase every 2 weeks may work rapidly to reduce uric acid.

If people have a gout flare-up, they can contact a doctor to discuss optimal treatment options. Treatments that lower inflammation are most effective within 24 hours of a gout flare-up.

People need to contact a healthcare professional if they have any signs of gout complications. And if they have any symptoms of a cardiac event, such as stroke or heart attack, they will need immediate medical attention.

Although gout is not directly fatal, without treatment, it can lead to dangerous complications, including joint damage, cardiovascular problems, and kidney disease.

Controlling gout flare-ups and reducing uric acid levels with medications and dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage gout and reduce the risk of complications.

Causes and complications of gout, diagnosis and treatment in Anapa

Gout is a rheumatic disease caused by the deposition of uric acid salts in the joints. During an acute attack, severe sharp pains in the area of ​​the swollen joint are disturbing. The exacerbation lasts for several days, then subsides, but periodically returns. To avoid dangerous irreversible complications, regular monitoring of the content of uric acid and its removal from the body is necessary. You can get advice and start treating gout in Anapa at the NeoMed medical center.

Features and causes of the disease

The main cause of gout is hyperuricemia , a persistently elevated level of uric acid in the blood. It can rise both due to its excessive formation, and in case of problems with utilization and excretion by the kidneys.

Uric acid is formed from the breakdown of purines and nucleic acids. It contains urates – insoluble salts, which tend to crystallize and accumulate in the joints, destroying them. In the periarthritic form of gout, deposits occur in the tendons. The process develops slowly, before the first symptoms can take 10-20 years.

Other diseases can provoke salt deposition: kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, arterial hypertension, obesity. Nutrition plays an important role. Purines are rich in meat, seafood, alcohol, beer. Sugary carbonated drinks make it difficult to remove uric acid. Certain medications, including diuretics, can trigger gout.

As a rule, one joint becomes inflamed during an attack, more often the big toe, wrist, elbow, and hand are disturbed. Less commonly, the process affects the knees, arch of the feet, ankle. There is an unbearable pressing pain, the site of inflammation swells up, becomes hot, the skin turns red.

After an acute period, the condition returns to normal, but salts continue to accumulate. The next exacerbation may occur in a few months or later. In uncomplicated cases, in the intervals, the physiological mobility of the joints is preserved, there is no malaise.

In “experienced” patients, salt deposits are visible to the naked eye – in the area of ​​​​the joints and not only tophi are formed – growths that disturb and interfere with daily activities. Tophi disfigure fingers and toes, feet, elbows. This course of the disease is called tofus gout.

Complications without proper treatment

Lack of early treatment almost always leads to complications. They can appear years later and even with an asymptomatic form of the disease.

Gouty insoluble nodes (tophi) are deposited in other joints or periarticular tissues, an inflammatory process begins. Chronic gouty arthritis develops, in which articular cartilage and ligaments are damaged, joints are destroyed, bones are deformed. A person loses the ability to move normally, the pain becomes constant.

Urate salts can be deposited in the kidneys leading to urolithiasis nephropathy and gouty nephritis. Over time, kidney failure is possible. The kidneys do not cope with the work, which causes persistent arterial hypertension.

Diagnosis of gout and complications

If gout is suspected, a rheumatologist should be consulted. In the period of exacerbation, it is easy to identify the disease. First of all, the doctor examines the inflamed joint, assesses the condition of the skin, the degree of swelling, and other signs.

For the diagnosis of gout appoint:

• Complete blood count. During an attack, an increased ESR is noted.
• Biochemical blood test.
• Serum uric acid determination.
• X-ray of the joint. Changes appear after a few years and indicate the neglect of the disease and complications – gouty arthritis and osteoporosis.
• Puncture to detect sodium urate and microflora in the synovial fluid.
• Ultrasound of the kidneys to detect stones.

Gout is hereditary, so it is important for all family members to have regular check-ups, even if there are no symptoms yet. The development of gout can be avoided if measures are taken in advance.

Methods of therapy

Treatment of gout is aimed at controlling the level of uric acid in the body and stopping acute attacks. Drug therapy is prescribed during periods of exacerbation to relieve inflammation and reduce pain. There are drugs that reduce the concentration of uric acid and stimulate its excretion.

A low-salt diet that avoids purine-rich foods and drinks is also given to reduce production.

Surgical treatment is performed to remove gouty tophi if they become inflamed, compress soft tissues and nerve endings, and interfere with blood circulation.

To prevent complications and joint destruction when only an implant saves disability, visit a rheumatologist regularly and do not refuse treatment, even if exacerbations are infrequent. The NeoMed diagnostic center will prescribe an effective treatment that will help improve the quality of life and avoid consequences.

causes, symptoms and treatments

Contents

• 1 Acute gout: symptoms, causes, treatment
  • 1.1 Acute gout: an overview
    • 1.1.1 What is acute gout?
  • 1.2 Causes of acute gout
  • 1.3 Symptoms of acute gout
  • 1.4 Acute gout: causes, symptoms and treatments
    • 1.4.1 Diagnosis of acute gout

    900 53

    • 1.5 Complications of acute gout
    • 1.6 Treatments for acute gout
    • 1.7 Proper nutrition for acute gout
      • 1.7.1 Introduction
      • 1.7.2 What to avoid in your diet
      • 1.7.3 What to include in your diet
      • 1.7.4 Sample diet for acute gout
      • 1.7.5 Conclusion
    • 1.8 Recommendations for acute gout
    • 1.9 Prevention of acute gout
    • 1.10 Specialist consultation
    • subject:
    • 1. 12 Q&A:
      • • 1.12.0.1 What is gout?
        • 1.12.0.2 What symptoms accompany acute gout?
        • 1.12.0.3 What causes gout?
        • 1.12.0.4 What diagnosis is used to detect gout?
        • 1.12.0.5 How is acute gout treated?
        • 1.12.0.6 Can gout be prevented?

  Acute gout is a disease that is manifested by an acute attack of pain in the joints of the foot. The article talks about the main symptoms, causes and methods of treatment of this disease. Learn effective remedies that can help relieve pain and prevent gout recurrences.

  Acute gout – ventricular renal failure disease that manifests itself in the form of inflammation of one or more joints. Gout is considered to be a type of arthritis that has a habit of recurring if not completely cured. Gout is based on a violation of the process of uric acid, which is a breakdown product of purine bases.

  Gout often occurs in people over 40 years of age, their body begins to defend uric acid in the bones and joints, which increases the risk of the disease. You are over 50 years old – the risk of developing gout is also higher for you than for younger people.

  In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for acute gout. You will learn how to prevent the occurrence of the disease and how to cure it.

  Acute gout: an overview

  What is acute gout?

  Acute gout is a disease that causes severe pain and inflammation in the joints, caused by the shedding of uric acid into body tissues. Acute gout is a form of gout that comes on suddenly and usually affects one joint. It can cause severe pain, fever and other unpleasant symptoms.

  Gout is a typical disease associated with metabolic disorders. It occurs in people whose bodies cannot properly monitor the level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is normally excreted from the body through the kidneys, but when this process is disturbed, it begins to accumulate in the tissues and joints, causing acute inflammation and severe pain.

  Gout is often associated with modern lifestyles, including excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. If you are experiencing severe joint pain, contact your doctor to properly diagnose and treat gout.

  Causes of acute gout

  Acute gout is a disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints. The cause of gout is a metabolic disorder, which leads to a violation of the mechanism for cleaning the blood from the substance of uric acid.

  As a result, uric acid begins to deposit in the joints, forming splint-like outgrowths – urea crystals, which leads to inflammation, swelling and pain.

  Gout is most common in people who are obese, diabetic, non-athletic, and men aged 40 to 60 years. Genetic predisposition can also cause the development of gout.

  It is important to note that drinking large amounts of alcohol and certain foods, such as meat, seafood, and cheese, can also contribute to the development of gout. Therefore, in the presence of a predisposition to gout, a balanced diet and the rejection of bad habits are important.

  Symptoms of acute gout

  Acute gout is manifested by a severe pain reaction that occurs suddenly in the area of ​​the joints and surrounding tissues. One of the key symptoms is a rapid and significant increase in the size of the joint, with a reddish, smooth and shiny surface.

  Often, acute gout is accompanied by a sharp deterioration in the general condition, an increase in body temperature and feelings of weakness and fatigue.

  The symptoms of acute gout may resolve on their own after a few days, but without appropriate treatment the chance of a recurrence is very high.

  Acute gout: causes, symptoms and treatments

  Diagnosis of acute gout

  Diagnosis of acute gout is based on symptoms. The doctor conducts an examination, observes the patient’s reaction to pressure and tries to find out if the patient had diseases of this type in the past.

  A blood test can check for elevated uric acid levels. X-rays may also be taken to look for characteristic changes in the joints associated with gout.

  For an accurate diagnosis, a biopsy or joint aspiration may be necessary to obtain a synovial fluid sample for analysis.

  Diagnosis of acute gout includes an assessment of the general condition of the patient, as well as determining the degree of joint damage and possible complications.

  If acute gout is suspected, it is important to see a doctor and carry out all the necessary tests.

  Complications of acute gout

  Acute gout is a condition that can lead to serious complications if left untreated or controlled by lifestyle.

  Another unpleasant consequence of acute gout is the development of chronic gout. If the disease is not treated, then it can go into a chronic stage, which also leads to the formation of stones in the joints and disruption of their functions.

  In addition, acute gout increases the risk of developing other diseases such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes, and even cancer.

  All this emphasizes the importance of timely treatment of acute gout and control of one’s lifestyle in order to avoid serious complications and maintain health.

  Acute gout treatment

  Acute gout is a serious disease that requires complex treatment under medical supervision. There are several treatments for acute gout that can help the patient get rid of the disease and prevent its recurrence.

  • Pharmacotherapy. One of the main treatments for acute gout is medication that improves metabolism and lowers uric acid levels in the blood. The most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine and glucocorticosteroids.
  • Diet. In the treatment of acute gout, special attention is paid to a diet that excludes from the diet foods that increase the level of uric acid in the blood. It is recommended to consume more vegetables, fruits, greens, low-fat dairy products and medium-fat meat.
  • Physiotherapy. In the treatment of acute gout, physiotherapy methods are used to improve blood circulation and metabolism. The most effective methods are therapeutic massage, ultrasound therapy and electrophoresis.
  • Lifestyle change. For a complete cure for acute gout, you need to change your lifestyle. It is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise regularly, and avoid stressful situations.

  It is important to remember that the treatment of acute gout should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, as the wrong choice of treatment methods can lead to an exacerbation of the disease and serious complications.

  Proper Diet for Acute Gout

  Introduction

  Diet is very important in acute gout, as certain foods can aggravate the disease. If you are suffering from acute gout, then you should never eat certain foods that can worsen your condition.

  What to avoid

  The first thing to avoid in acute gout is purine-rich meat and fish. These foods can aggravate the disease and make symptoms worse. You should also limit the consumption of alcohol and sweets, as they increase the inflammatory process in the body.

  What to include in your diet

  In acute gout, increase your intake of water and vegetables, as they help to remove toxins from the body. You can also include green tea, berries and fruits in your diet, which contain antioxidants and beneficial vitamins.

  Sample diet for acute gout

  Sample diet for acute gout may consist of the following foods:

  1. Vegetable soups and broths;
  2. Fresh vegetable salads;
  3. Rice, buckwheat and oatmeal porridges;
  4. Fruits and berries;
  5. Green tea;

  Conclusion

  Proper nutrition is an important part of the treatment of acute gout. It is especially important to avoid purine-rich foods and increase your intake of fresh vegetables and water. If you follow certain rules, you can significantly improve your condition and prolong your health.

  Advice for Acute Gout

  Once acute gout has been diagnosed and treated, it is important to follow a few guidelines to help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery:

  • Elevate the affected limb with a pillow or place it on a high stand to reduce swelling.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged standing, to prevent increased pain and swelling.
  • Diet by eliminating purine-rich foods such as meat, fish, legumes, mushrooms, alcohol, and sweets.
  • Take your medicines prescribed by your doctor as directed and on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from your treatment.

  Acute gout is a disease that requires complex treatment and constant medical supervision. By following all the recommendations and timely seeking help, you can achieve a stable remission and reduce the risk of complications.

  Prevention of acute gout

  Acute gout is a disease that occurs due to a violation of metabolic processes in the body. What can be done to reduce the risk of its occurrence?

  • Watch your weight. Obesity is one of the risk factors for developing gout, so you need to control your diet and physical activity.
  • Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In large doses, alcohol can lead to metabolic disorders, which increases the risk of developing gout.
  • Avoid foods rich in purines. These foods include meat, seafood, legumes, chocolate, and yeast. Their use can increase the concentration of uric acid in the blood, which contributes to the formation of gouty nodes.
  • Drink enough water. Drinking water regularly helps flush uric acid from the body and prevents it from accumulating in the joints.
  • Treat other diseases in a timely manner. Gout can develop against the background of other pathologies, such as diabetes or hypertension. Therefore, it is important to monitor your health and consult a doctor in a timely manner.

  Specialist consultation

  When symptoms of acute gout appear, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for diagnosis and treatment. An osteoarthritis specialist or rheumatologist can do an examination and make an accurate diagnosis.

  It is important to remember that self-medication can worsen the situation and cause complications. If you have acute gout or suspect it, be sure to see an experienced gout specialist for proper treatment and prevention.

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  Q&A:

  What is gout?

  Gout is a disease that manifests itself in the form of inflammation of the joints and the formation of characteristic nodules (tophi) in tissues and organs.

  What symptoms accompany acute gout?

  Symptoms of acute gout include inflammation and pain in the joints, weakness, fever, and reddening of the skin over the affected joint.

  What causes gout?

  Gout can be caused by a metabolic disorder and elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, or by hereditary factors. Also, the risk of developing gout increases with obesity, the use of alcohol and certain medications.

  What diagnosis is used to detect gout?

  Various methods are used to diagnose gout, including uric acid blood test, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, tissue biopsy, and joint endoscopy.