Gouty arthritis (also known as gout) can occur when increased levels of uric acid build up in the blood. This eMedTV page gives statistics on how often this form of arthritis occurs and who it affects, and also covers its symptoms and diagnosis.
The cause of gout is related to high levels of uric acid in the blood. This eMedTV resource lists some of the reasons why uric acid can build up in the blood, as well as some gout risk factors (such as having hyperthyroidism or diabetes insipidus).
Joint swelling and a sudden onset of intense joint pain are a few common gout symptoms. This eMedTV page covers common places where signs and symptoms of this condition occur (such as the big toe) and factors that can trigger an acute gout attack.
This eMedTV segment explains why gout can be difficult to diagnose and discusses some of the tests and procedures that a healthcare provider may use as part of a gout diagnosis (including a blood test to see the levels of uric acid in the blood).
This portion of the eMedTV archives lists risk factors for gout (including being male or overweight) and discusses gout prevention strategies, such as exercising regularly, limiting your alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy body weight.
The first step in treating gout is making an accurate diagnosis. This eMedTV page lists drugs commonly used as gout treatments, including NSAIDs (which treat acute gout) and allopurinol (which can prevent future gout attacks).
This section of the eMedTV library explores commonly prescribed gout medications such as NSAIDs and colchicine (which are given during a gout attack), as well as naproxen and indomethacin (which are given to help prevent future attacks of gout.
A diet for people with gout aims to reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. As this eMedTV article explains, gravy, liver, and trout are a few of the foods to avoid if you have gout. Fruits and diary are among the foods you can eat as desired
While you may find products on the Internet that claim to cure gout, there is currently no cure for gout. But as this eMedTV page explains, you can take steps to help prevent gout (like maintaining a healthy weight), as well as keep it under control.
This eMedTV page covers the four gout stages -- asymptomatic hyperurecemia, acute gout, interval or intercritical gout, and chronic tophaceous gout. This page explains that symptoms of gout (such as joint swelling) begin during the acute gout stage.
This eMedTV page explains that while there is no one specific cause of gout, there are a number of gout risk factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease, including being male, being overweight or obese, and drinking too much alcohol.
There are no foods that cause gout. But this eMedTV page lists some foods that can raise the risk of developing gout (such as liver and other organ meats), and also explains how diet can contribute to gout attacks in people who already have gout.
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