Gout affects about 2.1 million Americans and can occur at any age. In men, it usually occurs after the age of 30 years. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and joint swelling. At Comprehensive Arthritis Care in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Board-Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Mohammad F. Ali, MD, and his team have the training to manage your symptoms and relieve your pain. Call the office to schedule your consultation or request an appointment online today to find out more.
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain, joint swelling, redness, tenderness, and warmth. It may affect one joint at a time, but gout can also become chronic and affect several joints simultaneously. The most common joint involved is the large joint of the big toe.
Your risk increases when you’re more likely to develop hyperuricemia, which causes gout. Your risk increases with the following:
Certain medications, such as diuretics (water pills), also increase your chances.
Gout can be effectively treated and managed with proper medical treatment and self-management strategies:
Treatment for flares consists of steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as colchicine.
Changing your lifestyle, such as diet, losing weight, limiting alcohol, and eating less purine-rich food (like organ or red meat), can help prevent future gout attacks. Changing or stopping medications associated with hyperuricemia (like diuretics) may also help.
Kidney stones form as a result of chronic high levels of uric acid. For people with chronic gout or frequent and acute flares, the team may suggest preventive therapy to help lower uric acid levels in the blood using drugs like febuxostat, allopurinol, or KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase).
Gout should be diagnosed and treated by a rheumatologist. It's essential because the symptoms and signs of gout aren’t specific, and they can easily mimic those of other inflammatory conditions. Doctors who specialize in gout and other forms of arthritis are called rheumatologists.
At Comprehensive Arthritis Care, Board-Certified Rheumatologist, Dr. Ali, provides the diagnosis and treatment for all individuals 16 years and up with gout and other types of arthritis, lupus, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and pain disorders of the muscles and bones.
If you suspect gout or need help managing the disease, Dr. Ali can help. Schedule a consultation at Comprehensive Arthritis Care by phone or online today.