Diagnosis of gout
The diagnosis of a gout attack is almost always made clinically by carefully questioning the patient and examining the swollen joints. If a typical localization meets other typical signs and a suitable previous history, a laboratory analysis of the blood actually only serves as confirmation. After a blood sample has been taken, the uric acid level is measured.
If the findings are unclear or other possible causes are unknown, an X-ray of the affected joint is recommended as a precautionary measure to rule out a fracture or similar. In the following, the patient’s kidney function should be checked regularly in order to quickly detect any worsening of the condition.If the results of all these tests are not clear and the suspected gout attack could not be confirmed or disproved, the colchicine test remains, where colchicine is administered on a trial basis and the patient’s response is observed. If immediate improvement occurs, the cause of the joint pain and swelling was gout.
Prognosis
If no therapy is given in the event of elevated uric acid levels in the blood or one (or more) attacks of gout, there is a risk of the disease becoming chronic. This results in the so-called tophus formation in the soft tissues and/or bones of the patient. Irreversible changes in the joints become apparent in the following.
The deposits, which sometimes also affect the kidneys and can under certain circumstances trigger a kidney dysfunction, can lead to a complete loss of kidney function. Since this in turn has a negative effect on uric acid excretion, a vicious circle is created. It is therefore important to start treatment with the utmost precision and to adhere to it: Because with adequate nutrition and possible medical support, these processes can hardly be observed anymore.
Prophylaxis
A suitable healthy diet and a normal body weight not only helps with many other diseases within a metabolic syndrome and various metabolic disorders but also with gout. A healthy balanced diet and regular moderate physical activity are useful to prevent many diseases before they develop. In case of an existing predisposition or already occurred attacks of gout, special nutritional recommendations as described above can help to prevent the acute disease in the future. With uncertainty on this large topic area or further going questions also an individual nourishing consultation with an analysis of the personal eating behavior and on it co-ordinated pieces of advice can be meaningful.
