“What are the symptoms of gout?”

Gout is a very common inflammatory condition While typically thought of as something that only men get, we do see gout in women often in women who are taking diuretics for hypertension or fluid problems or blood pressure Gout occurs because the kidney does not excrete enough uric acid. Less commonly gout occurs because of someone simply producing too much uric acid. The symptoms of gout are typically rather severe pain swelling of a joint and significant warmth and redness about the joint. While classically described as affecting the great toe, gout can involve many different joints including the ankle knee and wrist elbow and others. Gout occurs progressively unless the uric acid burden is treated medically. The most common medications that are used to lower uric acid our medications such as probenecid, allopurinol, or febuxostat. Acute attacks can be treated with nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs or short courses of prednisone. While colchicine has been described as being helpful in treating acute gout, it is my personal opinion that it is easier to treat with nonsteroidals or prednisone, because colchicine often causes diarrhea. Our goal is typically to lower uric acid levels 5.5 or below Sometimes, patients will have deposits of uric acid in their elbows or around their hands or forearms....... we call these tophi. Additionally, if gout is not effectively controlled, a serious erosive bone-injuring arthritis can occur. And, many think that poorly treated gout can contribute to chronic kidney disease. All of these things are preventable with the use of uric acid lowering therapy and getting the uric acid to an appropriate level I will conclude with the reassurance that we can diagnose and treat gout very effectively in almost all our patients. Thomas P. Olenginski, M.D., FACP Staff Attending Physician - Geisinger Medical Center, Danville PA Department Rheumatology HiROC FLS Physician Champion BMD Committee Chairperson 570-271-6416 Fax: 570-214-2924

The symptoms of gout include sudden and severe pain, often occurring in the middle of the night or early morning. Typically, this pain is localized and affects specific joints, such as the big toe, ankle, or knee. The affected joints become tender, swollen, and warm to the touch. Additionally, individuals may experience limited range of motion and discomfort that makes even light pressure intolerable. Gout symptoms are often intermittent and can last for days or weeks before subsiding. Furthermore, recurrent gout attacks may lead to joint damage and joint deformities over time.

Here are some great websites for you to check out:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4755-gout
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/types/gout.html
https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/gout
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/gout
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/understanding-gout-symptoms

As a pediatric rheumatologist. I encourage you to seek an adult rheumatologist for further questions/clarification. Gout doesn't exist in pediatric patients.

Serious joint pain with redness and swelling

Good afternoon,

Gout is a condition caused by elevated uric acid levels in the body that have a tendency to deposit in joints of individuals thereafter setting up significant inflammatory response. This causes severe pain, redness and swelling in the affected joint and is often described as the MOST painful joint process known to man. Typically, the base of the big toe is the most common joint affected but other joints such as the knees could be affected. It can also be associated with certain triggers such as beer, shellfish and red meat. It is important to note that just having elevated uric acid levels in the blood is not diagnostic of gout as in a lot of people joint inflammation does not occur or develop. It is only when there is elevated uric acid level in the blood and inflammation within the joint due to uric acid crystals is the diagnosis gout. There are treatments for gout and in case of suspicion or concern I would urge you to discuss further with your primary care physician or rheumatologist.

I hope the above information helps.