Gout Arthritis Treatment & Clinic Tomball
Gout is a common and complex type of arthritis. It is characterized by swelling and pain in the joints, often sudden and severe. It most often occurs in one or both big toes, and it can affect feet, ankles, fingers, wrists, elbow, and knees. Gout can be acute (short-lasting) or chronic (long-lasting).
Gout is caused by excessive uric acid in your body. Your body naturally forms uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are also substances found naturally in your body. Some foods may promote higher levels of uric acid, such as alcohol, sweetened drinks (especially with fructose), and beef.
Gout symptoms may come and go, but there are ways to manage symptoms and help prevent flares.
Common Symptoms of Gout
Gout symptoms can occur suddenly, often waking you up in the middle of the night with the sensation that your big toe is on fire. The affected joint is hot, swollen, red, and painful.
Signs and symptoms of gout may include:
- Intense joint pain
- Lingering discomfort
- Inflammation, redness, and tenderness around the affected joint
- Range of motion is limited as gout progresses
Acute gout flare ups can last 3 to 10 days. Chronic gout occurs more frequently; however, the symptoms may be less severe. Stress, poor diet, alcohol use, and other health problems can trigger a gout attack.
Diagnosis & Treatment for Gout
TrendHealth Clinic provides comprehensive gout arthritis treatment in Tomball. We will perform a physical exam to review your symptoms and health history. Gout is genetic and it is important to let us know if gout runs in your family. We can detect gout by examining your joints. To confirm a diagnosis, we will do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your joint. Both tests will allow us to check your uric acid level and look for uric acid crystals that cause gout flare ups.
Gout should be treated soon after the pain occurs to reduce the duration and frequency. Lifestyle changes will help manage gout, including limiting the amount of animal protein you eat, avoiding alcohol, and drinking extra water to flush your body of uric acid. Over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help manage the pain and inflammation.
We can prescribe medication for your gout symptoms, including corticosteroids or urate-lowering medicines such as Allopurinol or Febuxostat.
When to Visit TrendHealth Clinic
TrendHealth Clinic can diagnose, treat, and help monitor your gout arthritis symptoms. Visit our gout provider in Tomball if:
- You experience sudden, intense pain in a joint
- You experience high fever and chills
- Your affected joints are hot and inflamed, which can be a sign of infection
- You experience frequent gout attacks
- Your gout symptoms do not improve after a few days
We can help you create a treatment plan that helps manage your gout to reduce the severity and frequency of gout flareups. A combination of medication and habit changes can improve your health and reduce the likelihood of your next gout attack.
Call or Schedule an Appointment with TrendHealth Clinic
You can make an appointment with TrendHealth Clinic by doing one of the following:
Call TrendHealth
Call us at 346-246-3424 to speak with one of our care managers who will be happy to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare providers. We often have same-day and next-day appointments available.
Schedule an Appointment Online
To complete our online registration to book an appointment, click here.
Schedule a TeleHealth Visit
Schedule a TeleHealth Visit from the comfort of your home in Houston or anywhere in Texas. A TeleHealth Visit is appropriate for a variety of care needs. To learn more about setting up a TeleHealth visit with a member of our care team or the types of TeleHealth Visits that are available, click here.
