What you need to know about Gout

The article is written by Specialist I Tran Ngoc Thuy Hang - Resuscitation - Emergency Doctor, Emergency Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Gout is a form of arthritis that can cause pain and swelling in the joints. At first, it tends to affect only 1 joint, most often the big toe. Gout occurs in people who have too much uric acid in their blood.

Gout is a form of arthritis. It can cause pain and swelling in the joints. At first, it tends to affect only 1 joint, most often the big toe.
It occurs in people who have too much uric acid in their blood. Uric acid is a chemical produced when the body breaks down certain foods. Uric acid can form sharp, needle-like crystals that accumulate in joints and cause pain. Uric acid crystals can also form inside the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. These crystals can turn into "kidney stones" that can cause pain and problems with the flow of urine.

People with gout have sudden "flare-ups" or attacks of severe pain, usually in the big toe, ankle, or knee. Often the joint also turns red and swollen. Usually, only 1 joint is affected, but some people experience pain in more than 1 joint. Gout flares tend to happen more often at night.
The pain of gout can be extremely severe. Pain and swelling are worst at the onset of a gout flare. Symptoms may then be in remission within days to weeks for unknown mechanisms.

The answer is yes. To test for gout, a sample of fluid may be taken from the painful joint. If uric crystals are found in the joint fluid, you have gout. Even if joint fluid cannot be examined, your doctor may still suspect gout if:
You have pain and swelling in a joint, especially the joint in the big toe. Your symptoms completely go away between flare-ups, especially when you first started having them. Blood test shows high uric acid levels

There are a number of medications that can reduce pain and swelling caused by gout. Once you are diagnosed and prescribed pain relievers, you can have pain relievers ready. That way, you can take it as soon as you feel the flare start. Gout medications work best if you take them as soon as symptoms start.
Medications used to treat gout flares include:
NSAIDs: This is a large group of drugs that include ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin) and indomethacin (brand names: Indocin). NSAIDs may not be safe for people with kidney or liver disease or people with bleeding problems or heart problems. Colchicine: This medication helps treat gout, but it can also cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Steroids: Steroids can reduce swelling and pain. Steroids can be taken as a pill or as an injection. Long-term, high-dose steroid use can cause complications such as osteoporosis, fat storage in specific areas, muscle atrophy, etc. . . The use of these drugs should be consulted with a doctor, weighing the risks and benefits.

The answer is yes, there are medications that can reduce the risk of future gout flares. Most people with repeated gout attacks or severe flare-ups need to take these medications. Overall, they all work by reducing the amount of uric acid in the blood.
Examples of these drugs include allopurinol, febuxostat, and probenecid. People with severe gout may also receive a medicine called pegloticase, which is given through a vein. This medicine may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
The use of medications to prevent gout flares should be evaluated and monitored by a physician. Allopurinol, febuxostat, and probenecid can actually increase gout flares when you first start taking them. To prevent these flare-ups, your doctor may suggest that you take a low dose of colchicine when you start taking it. This will give the gout crystals time to dissolve and that will prevent flare-ups over time. If you have a gout flare-up, it's important to continue taking your daily medication.
Your doctor will check your uric acid levels regularly. This is to make sure that the medicines are working and that you are taking the correct dose.

If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce gout. A balanced diet can help improve your overall health. It can also help you lose weight, if you're overweight.
In general, a healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Drinking plenty of water and trying not to become dehydrated are also important. You should limit sugary drinks and alcohol, they can make gout flares worse.
Some people with gout also have other health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or obesity. If you have any of these problems, it's important to see your doctor to get them under control. This can help improve your overall health and may also help cure your gout.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.