Gout is a kind of Arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the joints.
Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute; Hyperuricemia; Tophaceous gout; Tophi; Podagra; Gout - chronic; Chronic gout; Acute gout; Acute gouty arthritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGout is caused by having higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in your body. Your body may make too much uric acid, or have a hard time getting rid of uric acid. If too much uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to swell up and become inflamed.
Not everyone with high uric acid levels in the blood has gout.
The exact cause is unknown. Gout may run in families. It is more common in males, postmenopausal women, and people who drink alcohol. People who take certain medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide and other water pills, may have higher levels of uric acid in the blood.
The condition may also develop in people with:
The condition may occur after taking medicines that interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body.
SymptomsSymptoms of acute gouty attacks:
After a first gouty attack, people will have no symptoms. Some people will go months or even years between gouty attacks.
Some people may develop chronic gouty arthritis, but others may have no further attacks. Those with chronic arthritis develop joint deformities and loss of motion in the joints. They will have joint pain and other symptoms most of the time.
Tophi are lumps below the skin around joints or in other places. They may drain chalky material. Tophi usually develop only after a patient has had the disease for many years.
After one gouty attack, more than half of people will have another attack.
Signs and testsTests that may be done include:
Treatments for a sudden attack or flare-up of gout:
Daily use of allopurinol or probenecid decrease uric acid levels in your blood. Your doctor may prescribe these medicines if:
Some diet and lifestyle changes may help prevent gouty attacks:
See also: Kidney stones
Expectations (prognosis)Proper treatment of acute attacks allows people to live a normal life. However, the acute form of the disease may progress to chronic gout.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of acute gouty arthritis.
PreventionThe disorder itself may not be preventable, but you may be able to avoid things that trigger your symptoms. Limit alcohol consumption and follow a low-purine diet.
ReferencesKeith MP, Gilliland WR. Updates in the management of gout. Am J Med. 2007;120:221-224.
Cameron MA, Sakhaee K. Uric acid nephrolithiasis. Urol Clin North Am. 2007;34:335-346.
Gout is caused by increased production of uric acid. Uric acid crystals travel and accumulate in the joints, especially in the feet and legs, causing great pain and swelling.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/28/2011
Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation.
Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute; Hyperuricemia; Tophaceous gout; Tophi; Podagra; Gout - chronic; Chronic gout; Acute gout; Acute gouty arthritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGout is caused by having higher-than-normal levels of uric acid in your body. This may occur if:
If too much uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to swell up and become inflamed.
The exact cause is unknown. Gout may run in families. It is more common in men, in women after menopause, and those who drink alcohol. People who take certain medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide and other water pills, may have higher levels of uric acid in the blood.
The condition may also develop in people with:
The condition may occur after taking medicines that interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body.
SymptomsSymptoms of acute gout:
After a first gouty attack, people will have no symptoms. Half of patients have another attack.
Some people may develop chronic gout. Those with chronic arthritis develop joint damage and loss of motion in the joints. They will have joint pain and other symptoms most of the time.
Tophi are lumps below the skin around joints or in other places. They may drain chalky material. Tophi usually develop only after a patient has had the disease for many years.
Signs and testsTests that may be done include:
Not everyone with high uric acid levels in the blood has gout.
TreatmentMedicines should be taken as soon as possible if you have a sudden gout attack.
Daily use of allopurinol or probenecid decrease uric acid levels in your blood. Your doctor may prescribe these medicines if:
Some diet and lifestyle changes may help prevent gouty attacks:
See also: Kidney stones
Expectations (prognosis)Proper treatment of acute attacks allows people to live a normal life. However, the acute form of the disease may progress to chronic gout.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of acute gouty arthritis.
PreventionThe disorder itself may not be preventable, but you may be able to avoid things that trigger your symptoms. Limit alcohol consumption and follow a low-purine diet.
ReferencesWilson JF. In the clinic. Gout. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Feb 2;152(3):ITC21.
Richette P, Bardin T. Gout. Lancet. 2010 Jan 23;375(9711):318-28.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/28/2011
Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
I NEED A LIDT OF FOODS THAT I CAN EAT TO STOP GOUT FLAIR UPS
There is no cure for gout.
Women can get gout however it is far more prevalent in men.
Wines will increase the risk of having a gout attack if you have a predisposition to gout.
Gout is unusual in females before menopause but yes they can get gout.
can peaches help gout
The gout diet is not a diet to lose weight. It is a diet you follow if you have gout. Please see the following: www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout-diet/MY01137 -
Yes it is possible to get gout as a child.
There is no relationship between Gout and fibroids.
The population of Gout-Rossignol is 413.
Henri Gout was born in 1876.
yes
lifestyle factors clearly influence a person's risk of developing gout. For example, losing weight and limiting alcohol intake can help ward off gout.