Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain. Painkillers can help the pain and healthier lifestyle choices can prevent future attacks.
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On this page
- Symptoms of gout
- See a GP if:
- What happens at your appointment
- Treatments for gout
- Treatment for gout attacks
- Treatment to prevent gout coming back
- Things you can do to help a gout attack
- Do
- Don’t
- Who gets gout
- Things that can trigger a gout attack
- Things you can do to help prevent gout coming back
- Do
- Don’t
- Complications of gout
Medicines commonly prescribed for Gout
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION, 40 mg/mlActive substance: ibuprofenManufacturer: Laboratorios Cinfa S.A.Prescription requiredDosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION, 100 mg ibuprofen/5 mlActive substance: ibuprofenManufacturer: Viatris Healthcare LimitedPrescription not requiredDosage form: INJECTABLE PERFUSION, 4 mg/mlActive substance: ibuprofenManufacturer: Altan Pharmaceuticals SaPrescription required
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain. Painkillers can help the pain and healthier lifestyle choices can prevent future attacks.
Symptoms of gout
The main symptoms of gout are:
- sudden severe pain in a joint – usually your big toe, but it can be in other joints in your feet, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows or knees
- hot, swollen, red skin over the affected joint – redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin.
See a GP if:
- you have symptoms of gout for the first time
- you have gout and your usual treatments are not helping
An attack of gout usually lasts 1 to 2 weeks if left untreated. If you do not get treatment, future attacks may last even longer. Leaving gout untreated may cause lasting damage to joints.
What happens at your appointment
The GP may ask about your diet and if you drink alcohol if you have symptoms of gout.
They may also do a test to measure how much uric acid is in your blood. Uric acid is a chemical that can lead to crystals forming around your joints which cause pain.
If the test is still unclear, a GP may refer you to see a specialist (rheumatologist) and arrange further tests.
This could include taking a sample of fluid from inside the affected joint, using a thin needle. If this test cannot be done or the diagnosis is still unclear, then a scan will be arranged.
Treatments for gout
Treatment for gout attacks
Attacks of gout are usually treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), like ibuprofen.
If the pain and swelling does not improve you may be given steroids as tablets or an injection.
Treatment to prevent gout coming back
Gout can come back every few months or it may be years. It can come back more often if it's not treated.
If you have frequent attacks or high levels of uric acid in your blood, you may need to take uric acid-lowering medicine.
Important
It's important to take uric acid-lowering medicine regularly, even when you no longer have symptoms.
Things you can do to help a gout attack
If you're having a gout attack, there are things you can do to relieve the pain:
Do
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take any medicine you've been prescribed as soon as possible – it should start to work within 2 days
-
rest and raise the limb
-
keep the joint cool – apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes at a time
-
drink lots of water (unless a GP tells you not to)
-
try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night
Consult with a doctor about Gout
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps with a doctor online.
Don’t
-
do not put pressure on the joint – this can make the pain feel worse
Who gets gout
Gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your blood. This can lead to crystals forming around your joints, which causes pain.
It sometimes runs in families.
It's more common in men, especially as they get older.
You might have a higher chance of getting gout if you:
- are overweight
- drink alcohol
- have been through the menopause
- take medicines such as diuretics (water tablets), or medicines for high blood pressure (such as ACE inhibitors)
- have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney problems, osteoarthritis or diabetes
- have had surgery or an injury
Things that can trigger a gout attack
You might get a gout attack if you:
- have an illness that causes a high temperature
- drink too much alcohol or eat a very large meal
- get dehydrated
- injure a joint
- take certain medicines
Get treatment immediately if you feel an attack starting.
Things you can do to help prevent gout coming back
Making healthy lifestyle choices may mean you can stop or reduce further gout attacks:
Do
-
try to lose weight if you are overweight, but avoid crash diets
-
eat a healthy diet – your doctor may give you a list of foods to include or limit
-
have some alcohol-free days each week – try not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week
-
drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated
-
exercise regularly – but avoid intense exercise or putting lots of pressure on joints
-
try to quit smoking
-
ask a GP about vitamin C supplements
Don’t
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do not have lots of sugary drinks and snacks
Complications of gout
If you get repeated attacks of gout over a long period of time (chronic gout), and are not treated it can lead to:
- damage in your joints
- hard lumps, called tophi, under your skin, usually on your ears, fingers or elbows – they can be painful and have an impact on your daily life
- kidney stones
- chronic arthritis – but this is rare
Online doctors for Gout
Discuss your symptoms and possible next steps for Gout with a doctor online.
