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Gout (cont.)

Next Steps

Follow-up

It is critically important to follow up with your doctor. Gouty arthritis is treated in two stages. The first stage is to treat the acute arthritis. The second stage is to prevent gouty arthritis attacks from happening again. Low doses of colchicine may be started during an acute attack, but medications to lower the blood uric acid levels are avoided because this could intensify or prolong your attack. Therefore, you will need to follow up with your doctor after the acute attack has resolved to determine if it is necessary to start medications to lower the blood uric acid level.



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Gout »

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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