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Gout

Relieve Flares. Prevent
Them From Returning.

Understanding Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid, which can form sharp crystals in the joints and trigger sudden, intense episodes of pain, swelling, and redness.

While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also affect the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and other joints. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, gout can be effectively managed and future flares can often be prevented.

What Causes a Gout Flare?

Gout develops when uric acid levels in the blood become high enough for urate crystals to form in and around a joint. These crystals can trigger a sudden inflammatory response, causing the intense pain, swelling, warmth, and redness associated with a gout flare.
Uric acid levels can be influenced by genetics, kidney function, certain medications, diet, alcohol use, and other health conditions.

Signs & Symptoms of Gout

  • Sudden, severe joint pain, most often in the big toe but also the ankles, knees, wrists, or fingers
  • Swelling, redness, and warmth at the affected joint
  • Flares that often begin at night and peak within 12 to 24 hours
  • Symptoms that may ease within days to weeks, then recur
  • In chronic, undertreated cases, persistent joint pain and visible tophi

What Increases Your Risk?

  • A diet high in purine-rich foods (red meat, organ meats, shellfish) and alcohol, especially beer
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications, including some diuretics
  • Kidney disease, which reduces the body's ability to clear uric acid
  • Family history of gout
  • Being male
  • Related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome

How Gout Is Diagnosed?

  • Joint fluid analysis to check for urate crystals, the most definitive diagnostic test
  • Blood testing to measure uric acid levels
  • Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to evaluate joint damage or crystal deposits

Treating Gout

Reducing Your Risk of Gout Flares

  • Reducing purine-rich foods and alcohol, particularly beer
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Staying well hydrated throughout the day
  • Limiting sugar-sweetened drinks and foods high in fructose
  • Reviewing any medications that can raise uric acid with your provider

Medications

  • NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids to manage acute flares
  • Urate-lowering therapies, such as allopurinol or febuxostat, for long-term prevention in patients with recurrent flares

When to See a Rheumatologist

  • Sudden, severe joint pain, especially in the big toe
  • Recurrent joint flares
  • Visible lumps or deposits near a joint (possible tophi)
  • Joint pain accompanied by fever, which should be evaluated to rule out infection
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