Gout
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe joint pain. Painkillers and joint paint products can help the pain and healthier lifestyle choices can prevent future attacks.
Check if it's 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.
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:
- 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
- try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night
Kindly note not to 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, fatty meal
- get dehydrated
- injure a joint
- take certain medicines
Things you can do to help prevent gout from coming back
Making healthy lifestyle choices may mean you can stop or reduce further gout attacks:
- try to lose weight with this product 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
- Use the recommended joint pain product