What is gout?Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that is very painful. It usually affects one joint at a time (often the big toe joint). There are times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when there are no symptoms, known as remission. Repeated bouts of gout can lead to gouty arthritis, a worsening form of arthritis. Show
There is no cure for gout, but you can effectively treat and manage the condition with medication and self-management strategies. What are the signs and symptoms of gout?Gout flares start suddenly and can last days or weeks. These flares are followed by long periods of remission—weeks, months, or years—without symptoms before another flare begins. Gout usually occurs in only one joint at a time. It is often found in the big toe. Along with the big toe, joints that are commonly affected are the lesser toe joints, the ankle, and the knee. Symptoms in the affected joint(s) may include:
Top of Page What causes gout?Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia, where there is too much uric acid in the body. The body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in your body and the foods you eat. When there is too much uric acid in the body, uric acid crystals (monosodium urate) can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body. Hyperuricemia does not always cause gout, and hyperuricemia without gout symptoms does not need to be treated. Top of Page What increases your chances for gout?The following make it more likely that you will develop hyperuricemia, which causes gout:
Top of Page How is gout diagnosed?A medical doctor diagnoses gout by assessing your symptoms and the results of your physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests. Gout can only be diagnosed during a flare when a joint is hot, swollen, and painful and when a lab test finds uric acid crystals in the affected joint. Top of Page Who should diagnose and treat gout?The disease should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of gout patients. This is important because the signs and symptoms of gout are not specific and can look like signs and symptoms of other inflammatory diseases. Doctors who specialize in gout and other forms of arthritis are called rheumatologists. To find a provider near you, visit the database of rheumatologistsexternal icon on the American College of Rheumatology website. Once a rheumatologist has diagnosed and effectively treated your gout, a primary care provider can usually track your condition and help you manage your gout. Top of Page How is gout treated?Gout can be effectively treated and managed with medical treatment and self-management strategies. Your health care provider may recommend a medical treatment plan to
In addition to medical treatment, you can manage your gout with self-management strategies. Self-management is what you do day to day to manage your condition and stay healthy, like making healthy lifestyle choices. The self-management strategies described below are proven to reduce pain and disability, so you can pursue the activities important to you. Top of Page How can I manage my gout and improve my quality of life?Gout affects many aspects of daily living, including work and leisure activities. Fortunately, there are many low-cost self-management strategies that are proven to improve the quality of life of people with gout. For gout in particular:
CDC’s Arthritis Program recommends five self-management strategies for managing arthritis and its symptoms. These can help with gout as well.
Learn more about gout
Learn more about arthritis
When caring for a client with acute gout attack the nurse anticipates which medication?NSAIDs and Colchicine are best for treating the inflammation and pain during a gout attack. Allopurinol can cause vision changes, therefore the patient should receive annual eye exams along with avoiding large doses of vitamin C due to the risk of renal calculi formation. 8.
When caring for a client who has an order for strict I & O which is the best method to obtain accurate measurements?29) When caring for a client who has an order for strict I & O, which is the best way to obtain accurate measurements? Rationale: The nurse or nursing delegate has sole responsibility for maintaining accurate I&O. Clearing and resetting IV pumps will provide this information.
Which food would a nurse mention when reinforcing teaching about foods to avoid in the dietary control of gout?Those include:. Alcohol.. Sodas and other high-fructose corn syrup-infused products.. Shellfish.. Red meat.. Organ meats like liver.. Which client should the postpartum nurse assess first after receiving the morning shift report?Which client should the postpartum nurse assess first after receiving the a.m. shift report? 1. The client who is complaining of perineal pain when urinating.
|