Musculoskeletal

Gout

Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints, most often in the big toe. Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack.

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Symptoms

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Causes

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Treatments

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Prevention

Condition Overview

Understand key symptoms, causes, diagnosis options, and treatment pathways for Gout. This overview is intended for patient awareness and should be followed by specialist consultation.

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Symptoms

  • Intense joint pain (most severe in the first 4–12 hours)
  • Lingering discomfort
  • Inflammation and redness
  • Limited range of motion
  • Kidney stones (chronic gout)

Causes

  • Hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels)
  • Diet high in purines (red meat, shellfish)
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications (diuretics)
  • Medical conditions (kidney disease, hypertension)

Diagnosis

  • Physical examination
  • Joint fluid analysis (most definitive — urate crystals)
  • Blood tests (uric acid)
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasound
  • Dual-energy CT scan

Treatment

  • NSAIDs
  • Colchicine
  • Corticosteroids
  • Medications to lower uric acid (allopurinol, febuxostat)

Risk Factors

  • Diet
  • Overweight
  • Medical conditions
  • Certain medications
  • Family history
  • Age and sex (men more common)

Prevention

  • Limit purine-rich foods
  • Limit alcohol
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Maintain healthy weight
  • Limit sweetened beverages

Prevalence

Gout affects approximately 9.2 million adults in the United States.

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