Gout
What is Gout?
Gout is a common form of arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of joint pain. It happens when too much uric acid builds up in your blood. Uric acid is a waste product your body makes when it breaks down certain foods. When levels get too high, sharp crystals form and collect in your joints.
These needle-like crystals trigger intense inflammation, swelling, and pain. The joint at the base of your big toe is the most common spot for gout attacks. However, gout can affect your ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers too. Attacks often start suddenly at night and can last for days or weeks if left untreated.
Gout is one of the most treatable forms of arthritis. Blood tests can measure your uric acid levels and help your doctor diagnose the condition. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, most people can manage their symptoms and prevent future attacks. Early detection through testing helps you address the root cause before joint damage occurs.
Symptoms
- Sudden, intense pain in one or more joints, especially the big toe
- Swelling and redness around the affected joint
- Warmth and tenderness when touching the joint
- Shiny, tight skin over the swollen area
- Limited range of motion in the affected joint
- Pain that starts at night or early morning
- Symptoms that develop quickly over a few hours
- Fever during severe attacks
Some people have high uric acid levels for years without any symptoms. This is called asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Others may experience only one gout attack in their lifetime, while some have recurring episodes that become more frequent over time.
Concerned about Gout? Check your levels.
Screen for 1,200+ health conditions
Causes and risk factors
Gout develops when your body produces too much uric acid or does not remove enough of it through your kidneys. Certain foods high in purines, substances that break down into uric acid, can raise your levels. These include red meat, organ meats, certain seafood, and alcohol, especially beer. Sugary drinks with high fructose corn syrup also contribute to higher uric acid levels. Genetics play a role too, as gout often runs in families.
Several risk factors increase your chances of developing gout. Being overweight puts extra strain on your kidneys and increases uric acid production. Men are more likely to get gout than women, especially between ages 30 and 50. Certain medical conditions raise your risk, including high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome. Some medications like diuretics and low-dose aspirin can interfere with uric acid removal. Dehydration and sudden weight loss can also trigger gout attacks.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose gout through a combination of blood tests, physical exams, and sometimes joint fluid analysis. A blood test measuring uric acid levels is often the first step. High uric acid in your blood, typically above 6.8 milligrams per deciliter, suggests gout. However, some people with high levels never develop symptoms, while others have attacks with normal levels. Testing inflammatory markers like Interleukin-1 Beta helps identify the inflammation driving gout pain.
Rite Aid offers blood testing that measures uric acid and inflammatory markers through our network of Quest Diagnostics locations. Getting tested twice a year helps you track your levels over time and catch problems early. Your doctor may also check for uric acid crystals in your urine or joint fluid. Imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds can show crystal deposits or joint damage in people with chronic gout.
Treatment options
- Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling during attacks
- Uric acid-lowering drugs like allopurinol or febuxostat for long-term management
- Colchicine to prevent and treat gout flares
- Corticosteroids for people who cannot take other medications
- Drink 8 to 16 cups of water daily to help flush uric acid
- Limit foods high in purines like red meat, organ meats, and certain seafood
- Reduce alcohol intake, especially beer and liquor
- Avoid sugary drinks and foods with high fructose corn syrup
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and regular exercise
- Eat more vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products
- Consider adding cherries or tart cherry juice, which may lower uric acid
- Rest and elevate the affected joint during attacks
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and pain
Concerned about Gout? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
A gout attack typically starts with sudden, intense pain in a joint, most often the big toe. The pain is often described as throbbing or crushing and can wake you from sleep. The affected joint becomes swollen, red, warm, and extremely tender to touch. Even the weight of a bedsheet can feel unbearable during a severe attack.
Without treatment, a gout attack usually lasts 3 to 10 days. The most intense pain typically occurs within the first 12 to 24 hours. Symptoms gradually improve over the following week or two. With proper medication, you can often shorten the duration and reduce the severity of an attack.
Yes, lifestyle changes can significantly reduce gout attacks. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys remove uric acid. Limit foods high in purines like red meat and shellfish. Maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and balanced eating. Many people find that eating cherries or drinking tart cherry juice helps lower uric acid levels.
A uric acid level above 6.8 milligrams per deciliter is considered high and can lead to crystal formation. Most doctors aim to keep levels below 6.0 mg/dL for people with gout. However, some people with high levels never develop symptoms. Regular blood testing helps you and your doctor monitor your levels and adjust treatment as needed.
No, gout can affect many joints throughout your body. While the big toe is the most common location, gout also frequently attacks the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. Some people experience gout in multiple joints at once. The pattern and location of attacks can vary from person to person.
Gout attacks may resolve without treatment, but the underlying problem remains. High uric acid levels continue to cause crystal buildup even when you feel fine. Without proper management, attacks often become more frequent and severe over time. Joint damage can occur with repeated episodes, making early treatment important.
Yes, women can develop gout, especially after menopause. Before menopause, estrogen helps the kidneys remove uric acid more effectively. After menopause, estrogen levels drop and gout risk increases. Women tend to develop gout at older ages than men and may experience attacks in different joints.
Limit foods high in purines, which break down into uric acid. These include red meat, organ meats like liver, certain seafood such as anchovies and sardines, and shellfish. Avoid beer and liquor, which raise uric acid levels. Cut back on sugary drinks and foods with high fructose corn syrup, as they also increase uric acid production.
If you have gout or high uric acid levels, testing every 3 to 6 months helps track your progress. Regular monitoring lets you and your doctor see if lifestyle changes or medications are working. Once your levels stabilize in a healthy range, you may only need testing once or twice a year.
Yes, physical and emotional stress can trigger gout attacks. Stress can cause dehydration and changes in your diet or medication routine. Surgery, injury, illness, or sudden weight loss can also provoke an attack. Managing stress through regular sleep, relaxation techniques, and staying hydrated may help prevent flares.