Gout is the most painful of all forms of arthritis, causing intense pain and swelling in affected joints of the foot, ankle, knee, hand and wrist, but particularly in the big toe. If left untreated, attacks become more frequent, more prolonged and more generalised.¹

Gout is caused by excess urate (or uric acid) in the blood. When this happens, tiny crystals can form and collect in one or more joints causing inflammation and pain (gout).² If urate crystals enter a joint, they may trigger the development of inflammation.¹  The affected joint becomes red, swollen and extremely painful and tender.¹

In most patients, only one joint is affected, and the big toe is affected first in 70% of cases.¹  However, in 10% of patients more than one joint is affected. ¹

Gout is usually diagnosed on the basis of its distinctive symptoms and an examination of the joint.¹  An untreated attack generally lasts for a few days, then dies down and the joint gradually returns to normal.¹

The goals of treatment are threefold: The first step is to reduce the pain and inflammation of the acute attack. The second is to reduce the likelihood of future attacks by lifestyle modification and the third is to lower urate levels and so prevent the development of the complications such as joint damage and kidney disease.

Medication which helps relieves patients’ symptoms, such as, painkillers (analgesics), and anti-inflammatory medications including both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (traditional and cox-selective) and corticosteroids (Cortisone).³ Treatment should be tailored to the individual, if side effects occur, it is important to discuss these with your doctor who can look at changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.

The amount of uric acid level in the body can be greatly influenced by what people eat, and gout sufferers are usually asked to modify intake or avoid certain foods. ¹ Your doctor will advise you on appropriate dietary changes. These include red meat and offal (liver and kidneys), seafood (anchovies and sardines), alcohol (particularly beer), and beans, lentils, spinach, asparagus and mushrooms.¹ Sufferers are usually advised to drink 8-10 glasses of water every day to help their kidneys get rid of excess uric acid, and some people may be asked to lose weight if obese.¹

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