1. Take the Gout Quiz
2. Gout Slideshow Pictures
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. 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.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa 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.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Gout and hyperuricemia facts
• What is gout? What is hyperuricemia?
• Who is affected by gout?
• What are gout causes and risk factors?
• What are gout symptoms and signs?
• How is gouty arthritis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for gout?
• Gout diet
• Gout medications
• What are complications of gout?
• Can gout be prevented?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with gout?
• What does the future hold for patients with gout and hyperuricemia?
• Take the Gout Quiz
• Gout Slideshow
• Slideshow: Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Gout FAQs
• Patient Comments: Gout - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Gout - Treatments
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Gout Index

Gout can cause joint pain and stiffness and can also lead to chronic progressive damage to joint cartilage and bone. It can also lead to the accumulation of "clumps" of uric acid (tophi) in body tissues that can cause local injury to the body areas affected. Gout can also lead to kidney stones and elevated blood pressure (hypertension).

By adjusting the diet according to the recommendations above as well as maintaining a healthy body weight and adequate hydration, the risks of recurrent attacks can be reduced. Also, medications that can elevate the blood uric acid and cause hyperuricemia, such as thiazide diuretics, cyclosporine, nicotinic acid, levodopa, and low-dose aspirin should be avoided when possible.

It should be noted that for many people with gout the influence of an optimal diet is not adequate. Fortunately, medications that aggressively lower the blood uric acid level can be used to prevent gouty arthritis.

Attacks of gouty arthritis generally resolve within a week with the use of aggressive medications to reduce inflammation. Recurrent gouty arthritis is not only painful, but it can lead to permanent damage to cartilage and bone. Once it is decided to prevent recurrent gouty arthritis with uric acid-lowering medication, it is essential that the target blood uric acid level be maintained below 6.0 mg/dL. Ultimately, it is the low blood uric acid level that leads to a reduction in the risk for future flares of gout and further joint damage. Therefore, regular monitoring of the blood uric acid is best for optimal outcomes.