The most common sign of gout is a nighttime attack of .welling,
tenderness, redness, and sharp pain in your big inc. You can also get
gout attacks in your foot, ankle, or lu K cs. The attacks can last a few
days or many weeks before 11 II( pain goes away. Another attack may not
happen for mniilhs or years. See your doctor even if your pain from
gout is gone. 1 buildup of uric acid that led to your gout attack can
still ILIUM your joints.
Jnlnl Aspiration
This is the most important test. It is the ultimate method certain of a diagnosis of gouty arthritis, as opposed other causes such as an infection in the joint. nodle is inserted into the joint to withdraw a sample of lid for testing.
* The fluid is examined to see if there are gout crystals or bacterial infection present. Sometimes other crystals can be found in the joint fluid, such as calcium pyrophosphate, which is caused by an entirely different condition called pseudogout (like gout).
* Your doctor may obtain a blood sample to look at your cell counts, uric acid levels, kidney function, etc.
* Unfortunately, the level of uric acid in your blood cannot be reliably used to make a diagnosis of gout. It is normal in approximately 10% of people during an acute attack of gouty arthritis. Moreover, uric acid levels are elevated in 5%-8% of the general population, so the presence of an elevated level does not necessarily mean that gout is the cause of an inflamed joint.
* X-rays are primarily used to assess underlying joint damage, especially in patients who have had multiple episodes of gouty arthritis.
EXAMS AND TESTS OF GOUT
Jnlnl Aspiration
This is the most important test. It is the ultimate method certain of a diagnosis of gouty arthritis, as opposed other causes such as an infection in the joint. nodle is inserted into the joint to withdraw a sample of lid for testing.
* The fluid is examined to see if there are gout crystals or bacterial infection present. Sometimes other crystals can be found in the joint fluid, such as calcium pyrophosphate, which is caused by an entirely different condition called pseudogout (like gout).
Blood Tests
* Your doctor may obtain a blood sample to look at your cell counts, uric acid levels, kidney function, etc.
* Unfortunately, the level of uric acid in your blood cannot be reliably used to make a diagnosis of gout. It is normal in approximately 10% of people during an acute attack of gouty arthritis. Moreover, uric acid levels are elevated in 5%-8% of the general population, so the presence of an elevated level does not necessarily mean that gout is the cause of an inflamed joint.
Radiographs
* X-rays are primarily used to assess underlying joint damage, especially in patients who have had multiple episodes of gouty arthritis.
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