What Does Gout Feel Like?

Gout is a painful medical condition that can appear seemingly out of nowhere. When it does, the resulting discomfort can disrupt sleep and reduce quality of life.

Bergen Medical Associates is a multi-specialty practice that diagnoses and treats many conditions, including gout, for patients in northern New Jersey. Here, we explain what gout feels like, what causes it, and the treatment options available.

Senior man with elbow pain caused by goutWhat Is Gout?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid. The body naturally produces uric acid when breaking down chemicals called purines, which occur in certain foods and drinks. Usually, the kidneys filter uric acid out of the blood. It then leaves the body harmlessly during urination.

Sometimes, however, uric acid doesn’t leave the body. Some patients produce too much uric acid due to their diet or a health condition. In other cases, kidneys cannot remove it from the blood efficiently. If uric acid builds up to high levels, it forms sharp crystals that settle into the joints. These crystals cause sharp and sudden pain, swelling, and other symptoms until they can be passed out of the body.

Who Is Affected by Gout?

Anybody can be affected by gout. Certain health conditions, however, make gout more likely. These conditions alter the way the body processes uric acid, creating a higher risk of buildup. They are:

Some people are more likely to experience gout than others. Men are three times more likely to develop gout, while women typically don’t get the condition until after menopause. The condition is hereditary, meaning patients may have a higher chance of developing gout if a biological family member has it. Gout can also be tied to certain lifestyle choices and prescriptions:

  • Eating large amounts of animal proteins
  • Drinking alcohol frequently
  • Taking a diuretic medication
  • Taking immunosuppressant medications

What Does Having Gout Feel Like?

Gout symptoms can come on suddenly, sometimes overnight. Symptoms are centered around the joints, most commonly in the big toe. It may also appear in the ankles, fingers, wrists, knees, and elbows. Around those areas, patients may feel:

  • Intense pain
  • Discoloration or redness
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness or limited motion
  • Tenderness to even light touches
  • Warmth or a burning sensation

Gout is a chronic condition, meaning patients may experience symptoms at various points in their lives. This does not mean symptoms are constant, however. Instead, gout symptoms often come in attacks or flares that typically last one or two weeks. Between flares, patients may experience no symptoms at all. Remission does not mean the gout has gone away. If uric acid builds to critical levels, the patient will experience another flare.

Is Gout Preventable?

Though gout can’t always be prevented, patients can combat symptoms by altering their diet. Certain foods are high in purines, the chemical that breaks down into uric acid and causes gout. These are:

  • Sugary foods and drinks, especially sweets
  • High fructose corn syrup, which is found in many processed foods and snacks
  • Organ meats, including liver, tripe, sweetbreads, brains, and kidneys
  • Game meats like goose, veal, and venison
  • Certain seafood, including scallops, mussels, herring, cod, tuna, trout, and haddock
  • Red meats like beef, lamb, pork, and bacon
  • Turkey, especially processed deli turkey
  • Gravy and meat sauces

Alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of gout. While low in purines, it interferes with kidney function and prevents uric acid from processing as normal. Reducing alcohol consumption while reducing high-purine foods can help prevent major gout flares.

How Do Doctors Treat Gout?

Most treatments for gout are focused on reducing the pain and inflammation associated with attacks. Doctors will recommend a medication based on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. Prescription options include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug
  • Corticosteroids

If patients experience frequent attacks, or if they exhibit evidence of joint damage or other complications, doctors may focus on preventing uric acid buildup. Certain medications can reduce uric acid production or help the kidneys remove it from the body. These medications can prevent future flares.

Treat Gout Symptoms with Help from Bergen Medical Associates

Are you or a loved one struggling with symptoms of gout? Bergen Medical Associates is home to an experienced team of over 40 board-certified physicians, nurses, and highly trained staff. Our multi-specialty experts treat a wide range of conditions, including gout, for patients throughout New Jersey. Contact us to learn more about what gout feels like or to request an appointment.

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