Gout, also known as gouty arthritis, is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the build up of uric acid in the bloodstream. Excess uric acid forms spiky urate crystals in the joints, producing extreme pain, stiffness and inflammation. Gout can also affect bursae, tendon sheaths and kidneys.
Joint Pain and Other Gout Symptoms
Symptoms of a gout attack develop over approximately 12 hours and may cause the sufferer to wake in pain during the night. Symptoms are likely to be at their worst 24 to 48 hours into a gout attack and disappear completely within a week, although they may persist longer. Many gout sufferers will have further attacks of greater duration if they do not receive appropriate treatment.
Gout attacks may affect only one joint or several joints in the body. When a middle-aged adult experiences gout for the first time, he or she is likely to get it in only one joint (monoarticular gout) - often in the metatarsophalangeal joint in the big toe. This is known as podagra. Older people may experience gout in multiple joints (polyarticular gout), such as the elbow, wrist, hand, knee, foot and ankle.
Symptoms of gout include:
- Intense pain in and around a joint, perhaps feeling like a crushing sensation
- Unbearable pain when covering the affected joint with light bed sheets
- Heat, stiffness and inflammation around the joint
- Taught, red, shiny skin covering the joint
- Fever, chills and generally feeling unwell
- Loss of appetite
- Visible nodules underneath the skin known as tophi, seen in cases of chronic gout - nowadays these are rare
Gout Treatments and Pain Relief
Gout can be treated in several ways. Strong non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or indomethacin may be prescribed for the pain. Some people cannot take NSAIDs and colchicine may be given to reduce inflammation. However, colchicine has side effects, including horrid diarrhoea.
Corticosteroids can be taken orally, via injection or intravenously in cases of acute gout. These are strong anti-inflammatories which may rapidly bring joint inflammation under control.
Medications to lower uric acid levels may be given to people who suffer frequent or severe gout attacks. These usually have to be taken indefinitely as stopping and starting such medications may encourage gout attacks. Taken once daily, allopurinol is usually the favoured drug for controlling uric acid.
Gout has unpleasant symptoms and the number of people affected by the condition is increasing. However, gout is treatable and curable. Appropriate medical care will help to reduce pain, avoid further attacks and prevent future complications, such as joint damage and kidney stones.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
For more information, readers may be interested in What is Gout and What Causes It? and Gout Causing Foods.
Resources:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Gout" (Accessed 12th January 2011).
Harvard Health Publications. "All About Gout" (Accessed 12th January 2011).
University of Maryland Medical Center. "Gout - Symptoms" (Accessed 12th January 2011).
Sharon Kirby - Sharon is a freelance health writer and contributes to various print and online publications. Writing credits include Nursing Times, Good ...
