Gout can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to several different conditions. Your doctor may test your blood to see if you have high levels of uric acid. They may also draw a sample of fluid from one of your painful joints to look for crystals of uric acid.
Proper treatment can reduce the pain from gout attacks, help prevent future attacks and prevent damage to your joints.
Your doctor may recommend medications to treat your pain. These may include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can reduce pain and swelling.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are strong anti-inflammatory hormones.
- Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of a gout attack.
- Other medications to reduce symptoms or reduce the build-up of uric acid in your blood.
Your doctor may also recommend diet and lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, since being overweight puts you at a greater risk of gout attacks, and cutting back on alcohol and foods that are high in purines.
In addition to taking medications recommended by your doctor, you can make some changes to your diet to help you have fewer gout attacks. As always, talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications.
Your doctor may recommend that you lose weight, if you are overweight, or drink less alcohol. You can also avoid eating foods with lots of purines, since they can increase your uric acid levels. Foods that are high in purines include:
- Anchovies.
- Asparagus.
- Beef kidneys.
- Brains.
- Dried beans and peas.
- Game meats.
- Gravy.
- Herring.
- Liver.
- Mackerel.
- Mushrooms.
- Sardines.
- Scallops.
- Sweetbreads.
Your risk of getting gout is determined by a number of factors, including genetics, your age and sex, your environment, and what you eat. Here are some things that may lower your risk of getting gout:
- Don’t drink too much alcohol.
- Don’t eat many foods that are high in purines.
- Lose weight, if you are overweight.
Gout is one of the most controllable forms of arthritis. Treatment and dietary changes can help many people avoid frequent gout attacks and reduce their severity. You may have an acute attack followed by months or even years without any symptoms.
Proper treatment can also help you avoid a condition called chronic tophaceous gout, which can develop over 10 years or so and cause permanent damage to your joints and kidneys. Talk to your doctor about how best to manage your condition.