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Gout
Sudden, painful joint inflammation caused by uric acid crystals. Tracking your symptoms and connecting with others who understand can help you manage day to day.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment.
When to seek help
Seek care for a suddenly hot, swollen, very painful joint - especially if you also have fever, which may mean infection.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Overview
Gout is a very painful form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up in a joint. It often strikes the big toe and comes in sudden attacks.
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe joint pain (often the big toe)
- Swelling, redness, and warmth in the joint
- The joint feels tender even to light touch
- Attacks that come on suddenly, often at night
Causes
High uric acid in the blood forms crystals in joints. Risk factors include diet (red meat, shellfish, alcohol, sugary drinks), obesity, kidney disease, and genetics.
Types
- Acute gout (sudden attacks)
- Chronic tophaceous gout (crystal deposits under the skin)
- Recurrent gout
Diagnosis
Diagnosed by fluid drawn from the joint to look for uric acid crystals, plus blood uric acid levels and symptoms.
Treatment
Acute attacks are treated with anti-inflammatory medicines. Long-term, urate-lowering medicines (such as allopurinol) prevent future attacks and joint damage.
Living with it
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit alcohol, especially beer
- Limit red meat, organ meats, and shellfish
- Avoid sugary drinks and excess fructose
- Take urate-lowering medicine daily as prescribed - even between attacks
Complications
- Joint damage and deformity
- Kidney stones
- Tophi (hard crystal lumps under the skin)
Frequently asked questions
Will I need medicine forever?
Usually, yes - urate-lowering medicine is typically lifelong to keep uric acid low and prevent attacks and joint damage.
Join the Gout community
Talk with people who understand, share what helps, and find support from others living with gout. Private, moderated, and free.
Posts in this community reflect personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before changing your treatment.