What it is
It is more common in men, older people, and people who are overweight, drink a lot of alcohol or have kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory medicines treat attacks. Long-term medicine to lower uric acid, along with lifestyle changes, can prevent further attacks and joint damage.
Common signs
- Sudden, severe pain in a joint, often the big toe
- Hot, swollen, red skin over the joint
- Joint so tender that even a bedsheet hurts
- Lumps under the skin (tophi) in long-term gout
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination of the joint
- Blood test for uric acid
- Fluid from the joint checked for crystals, sometimes
- Ultrasound or X-ray
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Uric acid results over time
- Notes about attacks
- Kidney function results
- Rheumatology letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- Should I take medicine to lower my uric acid?
- What uric acid level should I aim for?
- Could any of my medicines be triggering attacks?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- A hot, swollen joint with high fever or feeling very unwell: get urgent medical help, it may be an infection
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.