As many individuals with arthritis can tell you, a flare-up of acute gout is no laughing matter. With pain that often develops overnight and becomes so acute that it can wake you from your sleep, gout is a condition that demands attention. Fortunately for those who suffer from gout, there are treatments available to address and manage symptoms of gout and to prevent further flare-ups. No one should have to live with unaddressed pain. At Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG), we offer expert care and personalized treatment plans to help manage your gout symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve your quality of life.

 

What is acute gout?

Acute gout is a form of arthritis, typically affecting the big toe, characterized by sudden, severe pain, swelling, and tenderness in a joint. The pain is a result of a buildup of uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid can accumulate in the blood, transforming into urate crystals, which cause the swelling and pain associated with gout. While the body can produce uric acid normally, it’s often dissolved into the blood, passed through the kidneys and removed from the body via urine. For some, the body produces too much uric acid, and for others, the kidneys don’t remove enough of it from the bloodstream, leading to gout.

Symptoms of gout include:

  • Sudden onset of intense joint pain (pain is often the most severe during the first hours)
  • Inflammation or redness of the affected joint
  • Lingering pain that can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks
  • Reduced mobility of your joints

Why does gout often affect the big toe?

While gout can affect any joint of the body, it most commonly occurs in the big toe. The uric acid in our bodies is very sensitive to temperature changes. Since the big toe is the part of the body furthest from the heart, where our blood circulates, it often cools first, causing the uric acid to crystallize, triggering a painful flare-up.

Causes

While there are certain risk factors for gout, some people are just more prone to flare-ups than others. For whatever reason, the body either produces too much uric acid or cannot filter out enough to the uric acid through the kidneys. While some incidences of gout are unavoidable, some factors can increase your risk of a flare-up:

  • Diet

Purine is a chemical compound that creates uric acid once metabolized by the body. Purine-rich foods such as organ meat, game meat, anchovies, and more increase your uric acid levels. Red meat, shellfish, and sugary drinks such as orange or apple juice are also rich in purine and can increase your levels of uric acid.

  • Weight

Additional weight can increase your levels of uric acid and make it more difficult for your kidneys to filter the acid out of your system.

  • Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages, especially beer and spirits, can increase your risk of gout flaring up. Additionally, they can worsen your condition if you drink them during a flare-up.

  • Medication

Certain medications, such as aspirin, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors, among others, can increase the levels of uric acid in your system. If you have a history of gout or arthritis, it may be a good idea to discuss your medical history with a doctor before taking new medications.

  • Family History

Unfortunately, there are some genetic links to gout sufferers. Individuals with family members affected by gout are more prone to develop the condition.

  • Age/Sex

Gout is more common in men than in women and typically affects individuals who are middle-aged. Gout typically affects men between the ages of 40-60 years old, earlier than women who on average experience gout post-menopause. Some research suggests that levels of estrogen protect women from gout flare-ups. Individuals with increased risk factors, such as family history, can develop the condition earlier than others.

  • Trauma or Stress

Anything from recent surgery, stress, vaccinations, to physical trauma can trigger a flare-up of gout. Inflammation or an immune response can trigger increased levels of uric acid.  

  • Other Medical Conditions

Kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and other conditions can affect a gout flare-up. Conditions that affect your kidney function can especially play a role in the flare-up, as your kidneys become unable to filter the uric acid in your system.

Acute Gout Diagnosis

Acute gout isn’t a particularly difficult condition to diagnose. A simple physical examination of the affected joint, combined with a detailed medical history, is enough to render an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, additional testing such as a blood test to measure your uric acid levels, a joint fluid test to examine the urate crystals in the affected joint, or imaging of the area to look for inflammation or crystals can be helpful.

Acute Gout Treatment & Prevention

Acute gout treatment involves managing your symptoms and preventing further flare-ups with lifestyle adjustments and medication. Not everyone responds to treatment the same way, so it’s important to consult a doctor regarding gout treatment. The first-line approach to managing gout symptoms involves medication. Individuals with gout may be prescribed NSAIDs, Colchicine, Corticosteroids, or other medications to lower uric acid levels, such as Allopurinol or Febuxostat. Other medications can address your kidney function to ensure that uric acid is effectively removed from your system. With any prescription medication, these drugs have side effects and interactions that require the understanding of a trained medical professional to prescribe.

Unfortunately, we aren’t currently able to cure gout or effectively prevent all future flare-ups, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reduce your risk of a gout attack. In addition to medications to treat gout symptoms, certain lifestyle adjustments can reduce your risk of future flare-ups of gout. Adjustments include:

  • Adopting a low-purine diet
  • Limiting or eliminating alcohol from your diet
  • Engaging in low-intensity exercise to reduce stress on joints
  • Addressing other health conditions, such as hypertension and obesity, that could contribute to additional flare-ups

Not all risk factors for gout are within our control. However, with the right combination of treatment and lifestyle adjustments, those who experience gout attacks can live full and satisfying lives.

Why Choose TPMG for Acute Gout Treatment

If you’re suffering from joint pain or suspect a gout flare-up, don’t delay treatment. Left untreated, gout can lead to joint damage, reduced mobility, and a lower quality of life.

At TPMG, we take joint pain seriously. Our experienced providers offer compassionate care and personalized treatment plans to help you manage your gout symptoms effectively. If your joint is hot to the touch, swollen, or accompanied by a fever, it could indicate a serious infection, and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Don’t let gout control your life. Contact a TPMG provider today to schedule a consultation and begin your path to effective acute gout management and pain relief.

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