Gout (cont.)
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. IN THIS ARTICLE
When to Seek Medical CareAnyone who has a sudden onset of a hot, red, swollen joint should seek medical care, either with a primary-care physician, at an emergency department, or with a rheumatologist (arthritis specialist). These symptoms can also be due to an infection, loss of cartilage in the joint, or other reasons. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of gouty arthritis as the treatment ultimately is guided by the cause of the inflammation. If you have been diagnosed with gout and have more than one attack of arthritis, you should take the medication prescribed by your physician for these attacks. You should be seen by your physician, in the emergency department, or urgent care center if your attack does not respond to this treatment. You may need medications to prevent further arthritis flares. Attacks of abdominal pain due to kidney stones (renal colic) may be related to uric acid kidney stones from gout. Viewer Comments & ReviewsGout - DietThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:How did you change your diet upon your diagnosis of gout? Gout - Symptoms ExperiencedThe eMedicineHealth physician editors asked:For gout, what were the symptoms and signs you experienced? |
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Gout is a common disorder of uric acid metabolism that can lead to deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in soft tissue, recurrent episodes of debilitating joint inflammation, and, if untreated, joint destruction and renal damage.
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