Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that presents with quick onset of severe pain, swelling and redness of joints. It usually affects big joints such as the base of the big toe, ankle, or knee.
This is caused by uric acid crystals forming in and around the affected joint. Uric acid is made when your body breaks down purines found in your body and the food you ingest and is usually removed from your body by the kidneys.
Although high uric acid levels can result in gout attacks, not all people with high uric acid levels will suffer from gout. If there are no symptoms, there is no need for treatment of high uric acid levels.
Common triggers of a gout attack include alcohol intake, dehydration, seafood/red meat, and joint injuries.
Signs & Symptoms
Most of the time, gout attacks usually start with sudden onset of severe pain in a single joint. Redness, swelling, and warmth follows shortly afterwards. Pain levels usually peak within a few hours and can cause difficulty in walking.
Frequent gout attacks may cause tophi formation. Tophi are hard deposits formed under the skin, which can cause joint destruction and deformities. People with gout are also at higher risk of developing kidney stones, which can cause severe pain and kidney damage.
Risk Factors
- Being male
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol intake
- High purine diet (red meat, seafood, organ meats)
- Certain medications (eg. Diuretics)
- Having the following health conditions:
- Congestive heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Poor kidney function
Treatment Options
- Acute management of gout flare usually involves a combination of the following medication: colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids.
- It is important to see a doctor as soon as you feel an acute gout attack starting. The sooner you start medication, the faster your gout attack will resolve.
- If there are multiple gout attacks in a year, your doctor may consider checking your blood uric acid levels and may start you on urate lowering therapy. This is usually with the help of allopurinol or febuxostat.
Preventive Management
Aside from taking medication to lower uric acid levels, there are several lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce gout attacks.
- Adopting a low purine diet and reducing alcohol intake
- Losing weight (if overweight)
- Staying well hydrated
- Regular exercise, aiming for 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise in a week
- Protecting your joints to minimise injuries
If you think you are suffering from a gout flare, do consult our doctors who will be able to assess and help with your condition