Gout Specialist
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Internists and Primary Care located in Silver Spring, MD
Internists located in Silver Spring, MD
A gout attack can cause intense, unforgettable pain. If you’re having a difficult time managing your gout, Anuradha Arun, MD, at PrimeCare Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland, is a board-certified internal medicine physician who specializes in the treatment and management of gout to reduce flare-ups. Call today or book an appointment online using the online booking button.
Gout Q & A
What is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of urate crystals in your joints that leads to swelling, redness, and often severe pain. While gout can affect any joint in your body, but it most commonly affects the joint in your big toe.
A gout attack may cause you to feel intense pain in the affected joint for up to 12 hours, and then a lingering pain that may last for a few days to a few weeks. The more frequently you have a gout attack, the longer you experience the pain.
What causes gout?
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in your blood, which is created from the breakdown of purines, a substance naturally found in your body, as well as the food you eat. Your kidneys are responsible for keeping uric acid levels in your blood low. However, sometimes your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys can’t get rid of it.
When uric acid levels in your blood get too high they form into sharp crystals that settle in your joints, causing pain and inflammation.
You may be more at risk of developing gout if you have a family history of the condition, are overweight, or take medication that increases uric acid levels in your blood. A diet high in purines, or high intakes of organ meat or beer, may also increase your risk of gout or a gout attack.
How can I prevent gout?
Dr. Anuradha Arun and her team at PrimeCare Medicine know how debilitating a gout flare-up can be and provide acute and chronic management for gout.
For an acute attack, she may recommend:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Colchicine, a pain reliever specific for gout
- Corticosteroids
To prevent an attack from occurring, Dr. Arun may prescribe medications that help reduce uric acid in your blood by either decreasing production or increasing removal.
Do I need to follow a special diet?
Dr. Arun may recommend you follow a low-purine diet to reduce your risk of a gout flare-up, which means limiting your intake of red meat, game, and beer. She may also recommend you increase your intake of water to help flush out uric acid.
For expert management of your gout, call PrimeCare Medicine, or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
