Gout, often known as gouty arthritis, is a particular form of arthritis where one suffers from tenderness, redness, and severe pain in the joints. Gout is caused due to the excessive buildup of uric acid crystals and deposits in the joints, which are a result of the breakdown of food items that one eats. Though treatable, gout can give trouble for a few years and in some cases, it may be lifelong. Continue reading to know more about how gout can be diagnosed and treated best.

Diagnosing gout

Gout is diagnosed through different medical tests. Let’s have a closer look at what those tests are.

• X-ray imaging :

  X-rays of the joints are necessary to rule out other possible causes of joint pain and inflammation.

• Joint fluid testing :

  Examining the fluid inside the joints is needed to determine whether the patient is suffering from gout or not, as the tests show the presence of urate crystals.

• Ultrasound :

  Musculoskeletal ultrasound detects the presence of tophus or urate crystals in the joint, which points at the presence of gout.

• Blood test :

  Although blood tests cannot confirm gout, the levels of uric acid in the blood can be determined, which is essential for diagnosing gout.

Along with these tests, a doctor also thoroughly examines the symptoms of gout which are:

• Difficulty in moving one’s joints normally, which limits the free range of motion
• Intense and unbearable joint pain, especially on the joint of the big toe, elbows, ankles, fingers, and wrists
• Inflamed, swollen, red, and warm joints
• Lingering discomfort in the affected joints, even after the pain subsides

Available treatments for gout

Gout can be treated with the help of proper medications. However, there are other ways of keeping it in control or preventing it as well. Let’s have a look at them:

• Medications

  Medications are considered to be the best and most effective way of treating gout. However, one must remember that the prescribed medications for treating gout targets lowering the levels of uric acid in the body. Depending on the requirement of the patient and considering the condition of his or her gout, a doctor may prescribe medicines that block the production of uric acid or medicines that boost the removal of uric acid from the body.

• Surgery

  Surgery is rarely needed for treating gout. However, when joints are severely affected by gout due to the lack of proper treatment, surgery becomes necessary for the removal of the uric acid deposits or tophi.

• Healthy dietary changes

  As gout is often caused due to an excessive intake of food that increases the levels of uric acid, opting for a healthy diet can be helpful in treating gout more effectively. From drinking enough fluid to stay hydrated to limiting the intake of fish, meat, and poultry, and avoiding alcohol can be beneficial in preventing gout.

Remember, gout is a complex as well as a common type of arthritis that can affect people of any age. If kept untreated for long, gout can cause severe damage to one’s health, making it impossible for them to lead a healthy life. Therefore, once any symptoms of gout are noticed, opt for medical attention as it may help in preventing the condition from becoming chronic.

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