Usually recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis, most commonly in big toe, and sometimes kidney stones, due to high uric acid levels. Also use Kidney Insufficiency.Encyclopedia Entry for Gout :Gout. Gout is caused by having higher-than-normal level of uric acid in your body. This may occur if: Your body makes too much uric acid Your body has a hard time getting rid of uric acid When uric acid builds up in the fluid around the joints (synovial fluid), uric acid crystals form. These crystals cause the joint to become inflamed, causing pain, swelling and warmth. The exact cause is unknown. Gout may run in families. The problem is more common in men, in women after menopause, and people who drink alcohol. As people become older, gout becomes more common. The condition may also develop in people with: Diabetes Kidney disease Obesity Sickle cell anemia and other anemias Leukemia and other blood cancers Gout may occur after taking medicines that interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body. People who take certain medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide and other water pills, may have a higher level of uric acid in the blood.Symptoms of acute gout: Only one or a few joints are affected. The big toe, knee, or ankle joints are most often affected. The pain starts suddenly, often during the night. Pain is often severe, described as throbbing, crushing, or excruciating. The joint appears warm and red. It is usually very tender and swollen (it hurts to put a sheet or blanket over it). There may be a fever. The attack may go away in a few days, but may return from time to time. Additional attacks often last longer. People will have no symptoms after a first gout attack. Many people will have another attack in the next 6 to12 months. Some people may develop chronic gout. This is also called gouty arthritis. This condition can lead to joint damage and loss of motion in the joints. People with chronic gout will have joint pain and other symptoms most of the time. Deposits of uric acid can form lumps below the skin around joints or other places such as the elbows, fingertips, and ears. The lump is called a tophus, from Latin, meaning a type of stone. Tophi (multiple lumps) can develop after a person has had gout for many years. These lumps may drain chalky material.Tests that may be done include: Synovial fluid analysis (shows uric acid crystals) Uric acid -- blood Joint x-rays (may be normal) Synovial biopsy Uric acid -- urine A uric acid level in the blood over 7 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) is high. But, not everyone with a high uric acid level has gout.Take medicines for gout as soon as you can if you have a sudden attack. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or indomethacin when symptoms begin. Talk to your health care provider about the correct dose. You will need stronger doses for a few days. A prescription medicine called colchicine helps reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone) can also be very effective. Your provider may inject the inflamed joint with steroids to relieve the pain. The pain often goes away within 12 hours of starting treatment. Most of the time, all pain is gone within 48 hours. You may need to take daily medicines such as allopurinol (Zyloprim), febuxostat (Uloric) or probenecid (Benemid) to decrease the uric acid level in your blood. You may need these medicines if: You have several attacks during the same year or your attacks are quite severe. You have damage to joints. You have tophi. You have kidney disease or kidney stones. Diet and lifestyle changes may help prevent gouty attacks: Decrease alcohol, especially beer (some wine may be helpful). Lose weight. Exercise daily. Limit your intake of red meat and sugary beverages. Choose healthy foods, such as dairy products, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fruits (less sugary ones), and whole grains. Coffee and vitamin C supplements (may help some people).Proper treatment of acute attacks and lowering uric acid to a level less than 6 mg/dL allows people to live a normal life. However, the acute form of the disease may progress to chronic gout if not treated adequately.Complications may include: Chronic gouty arthritis. Kidney stones. Deposits in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney failure. High levels of uric acid in the blood are associated with increased risk of kidney disease. Studies are being done to find out whether lowering uric acid reduces the risk of kidney disease.Call your provider if you have symptoms of acute gouty arthritis.You may not be able to prevent gout, but you may be able to avoid things that trigger symptoms. Taking medicines to lower uric acid can prevent progression of gout.Gouty arthritis - acute; Gout - acute; Hyperuricemia; Tophaceous gout; Tophi; Podagra; Gout - chronic; Chronic gout; Acute gout; Acute gouty arthritis.Kidney stones and lithotripsy - discharge Kidney stones - self-care Kidney stones - what to ask your doctor Percutaneous urinary procedures - discharge.Uric acid crystals Uric acid crystals Tophi gout in hand Tophi gout in hand.Burns CM, Wortmann RL. Clinical features and treatment of gout.