What is Gout?
Gout is a medical condition whereby recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis occur. Joints become swollen, tender, and hot. The big toe is the most commonly affected by gout. It is characterized by severe joint pain, red, itching and peeling skin, and sometimes fever.
What causes Gout?
The levels of uric acid in your blood rise until the level becomes excessive (hyperuricemia), causing urate crystals to build up around the joints. This causes inflammation and severe pain when a gout attack happens.
How is Gout treated?
The most common treatments for an acute attack of gout are doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce the inflammation caused by deposits of uric acid crystals but have no effect on the amount of uric acid in the body. NSAIDs most commonly prescribed for gout are indomethacin and naproxen, which are taken orally every day. The most commonly prescribed corticosteroid is prednisone.
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