Gout

What is gout?

Gout happens when uric acid accumulates in the body. This can deposit and crystallize in joints, then lead to joint pain and swelling. Typically, people with gout have a genetic mutation in the transporters of the kidney, which normally remove uric acid from the body.

RhemInfo Gout:

https://rheuminfo.com/docs/diseases/pictos/Gout-Patient-Guide-RheumInfo_EN.pdf

How is gout treated?

Medications that treat gout flares include colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin, steroid injections or prednisone. These medications are used in the short term, for 1-2 weeks, until a flare resolves.

RheumInfo Colchicine: https://rheuminfo.com/docs/medications/pictos/Colchicine-Patient-Guide-RheumInfo_EN.pdf

RheumInfo: Prednisone

https://rheuminfo.com/en/medications/prednisone/

We also can use medications to remove uric acid from the body and prevent future flares from happening. Our first line treatment is allopurinol. This is started at a low dose, and increased based on your uric acid levels. We target a uric acid less than 360.

RheumInfo Allopurinol: https://rheuminfo.com/docs/medications/pictos/Allopurinol-Patient-Guide-RheumInfo_EN.pdf

What else can I do to manage my gout?

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to help manage gout.

  • Weight. Maintain a normal body weight. This may be the weight you were when you were in your 20s. Patients with excess weight can have worse gout.
  • Exercise. I recommend 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (difficult to breath but able to hold a conversation) 5 times per week and strength training twice per week.
  • Diet. The best diet for gout is either the DASH diet, which is low in sodium and often used to treat high blood pressure, or the Mediterranean diet.  This Mediterranean diet is high in omega 3. The diet is mainly comprised of fish (twice weekly), fruits and vegetables, nuts and olive oil.
  • Avoid dietary triggers. It is known that certain foods can trigger gout. Common triggers include red meat, shellfish and soft drinks.
  • Smoking. Quit smoking.
  • Alcohol. Limit alcohol intake. Certain types of alcohol, such as beer, can cause gout to flare in some people