Imagine a fiery pain waking you in the middle of the night. The burning sensation is centered on your big toe. It is hot, swollen and a single touch from the bed sheet makes you want to cry out. This is a typical attack of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that is marked by sudden, intense localized pain with redness and tenderness in the joints.

Gout and gout arthritis are both treatable disorders that generally affect men more than women although postmenopausal women can suffer from gout as they age. Gout symptoms most often occur at night and are usually acute and without warning.

These symptoms include:

* Intense joint pain usually in the big toe but it can occur in other areas. It will last about five to ten days if left untreated.

* An affected area that becomes inflamed, swollen, and very tender.

What causes gout? If your body is producing too much or not enough uric acid, gout can build up and form sharp urate-crystals in a joint or the surrounding tissue. This build-up is the cause of the pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Who is at risk for gout? People with high uric acid levels are more likely to get gout. Uric acid is higher when certain factors are in place:

* There is an excessive consumption of alcohol.

* The patient has untreated hypertension or diabetes.

* There are high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood, also known as hyperlipdemia.

* The patient has narrowing of the arteries or arteriosclerosis.

* The patient is using medications to treat hypertension or anti-rejection drugs to help after an organ transplant.

* There is a family history of gout.

How will my doctor test for gout? There are two tests. A joint fluid test will be performed where the doctor will draw fluid by needle from your infected joint. This fluid is then studied for urate crystals. The second test might be a blood test to measure the uric acid level in your blood but this test can be misleading because some people simply have naturally high uric acid levels and never experience gout or gout arthritis.

If I have gout, how will it be treated? Doctors choose gout medications based on the patient's current health. Possible medications include:

1. NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These may be prescriptions or over the counter choices like ibuprofen.

2. Steroids such as prednisone. They may be prescribed in pill form or injected directly into the infected joint.

3. Colchicine. Because of this drug's side effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, your doctor may only prescribe after a treatment of NSAIDS is ineffectual.

If you have suffered several gout attacks in the course of a year, your doctor may place you on a preventive medication like Probenecid (to remove uric acid from your body) or Allopurinol (to block uric acid production.)

Can diet help my gout? Diet can help and doctors recommend patients with gout should avoid foods with high purine content. Avoid organ meats like liver and kidneys. Reduce the amount of red meat and animal proteins you eat. Avoid alcohol. Eat more low-fat dairy. Continue to drink coffee. Be aware that strict dieting, fasting and strenuous exercise can raise uric acid levels.

If you suffer a gout attack, see your doctor and follow his treatment plan. With care and time your gout will be manageable may even diminish as the years go by.

Learn more about this author, Barb Hopkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What is gout??
We want to hear your view. Write now!