How long gout last

These are more likely to occur if gout is left untreated. Gout is caused by a chemical called uric acid forming small crystals in and around the joints.

These crystals also often build up under the skin and form small white or yellow lumps known as tophi. Tophi are usually painless, but they can form in awkward places, such as at the ends of your fingers and around your toes. Sometimes they can make everyday tasks such as preparing food or getting dressed difficult. It normally takes several years after the first attack of gout for tophi to develop, but some people develop them even before experiencing an attack.

They're usually a sign of severe gout and a good reason to start treatment to reduce the level or uric acid in your body.

Successful treatment will prevent the tophi from getting any bigger, and long term treatment often gradually shrinks them. Without treatment, gout attacks may become more frequent and prolonged, and your likelihood of developing permanent joint damage will increase. Occasionally, high levels of uric acid can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Some kidney stones interfere with the flow of urine, resulting in pain when you pass urine, and can make you feel that you need to pass urine more often.

Some kidney stones interfere with the flow of urine, resulting in pain when you pee, and can make you feel that you need to pee more often. You may be prescribed medication to make your urine less acidic, which should help dissolve any kidney stones that have developed.

Read more about treating kidney stones. Gout can also affect your mood, work and home life. The severe pain that gout causes can make it difficult to do everyday tasks and to get around, which in turn can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety. If gout is affecting your mood or making everyday life difficult, talk to your GP.

They will be able to offer treatment and support. There are also a number of organisations that offer information and advice for people who have gout, including Arthritis Research UK and Arthritis Care. Home Illnesses and conditions Muscle, bone and joints Conditions Gout.

Gout See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About gout 2. Symptoms of gout 3. Causes of gout 4. Diagnosing gout 5. Treating gout 6. Complications of gout. About gout Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals form inside and around the joints.

It's estimated that between one and two in every people in the UK are affected by gout. Signs and symptoms of gout Any joint can be affected by gout, but it usually affects joints towards the ends of the limbs, such as the toes, ankles, knees and fingers. Signs and symptoms of gout include: severe pain in one or more joints the joint feeling hot and very tender swelling in and around the affected joint red, shiny skin over the affected joint Symptoms develop rapidly over a few hours and typically last three to 10 days.

Almost everyone with gout will experience further attacks at some point, usually within a year. When to see your GP See your GP if you suspect you have gout and it hasn't been previously diagnosed, particularly if the pain keeps getting worse and you also have a high temperature fever.

What causes gout? Gout is caused by a build-up of a substance called uric acid in the blood. Treatments for gout If you have gout, treatment is available from your GP to: relieve symptoms during an attack — this can be done using ice packs and by taking medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , colchicine or corticosteroids prevent further attacks — through a combination of lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or changing your diet, and taking medication that lowers uric acid levels, such as allopurinol With treatment, many people are able to reduce their uric acid levels sufficiently to dissolve the crystals that cause gout — and as a result have no further attacks.

Can gout cause further problems? Sometimes gout can lead to further problems, particularly if it's left untreated. These can include: kidney stones small firm lumps of uric acid crystals under the skin called tophi permanent joint damage Read more about the complications of gout.

What's pseudogout? Symptoms of gout The main symptom of gout is a sudden attack of severe pain in one or more joints, typically your big toe. Other symptoms can include: the joint feeling hot and very tender, to the point of being unable to bear anything touching it swelling in and around the affected joint red, shiny skin over the affected joint peeling, itchy and flaky skin as the swelling goes down The intense pain can make getting around difficult.

Which joints can be affected? Gout can affect almost any joint and can occur in more than one joint at the same time. The joints towards the ends of the limbs tend to be affected more often, including the: toes — particularly the big toe joint midfoot where your shoelaces sit ankles knees fingers wrists elbows If gout is left untreated, it's likely to affect more joints over time.

Pattern of symptoms Attacks of gout tend to: occur at night, although they can happen at any time develop quickly over a few hours last between three and 10 days — after this time, the affected joint should start to return to normal, but the problem can persist if treatment isn't started early come back — you may experience attacks every few months or years become more frequent over time if not treated It's difficult to predict how often attacks will occur and when exactly they will happen.

When to seek medical advice See your GP if you suspect you have gout and it hasn't been previously diagnosed. Contact your GP immediately or call the service if you have both: severe, worsening joint pain and swelling a high temperature fever of 38C Causes of gout Gout is caused by small crystals forming in the joints, resulting in severe pain, tenderness and swelling.

However, colchicine can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Common symptoms during a gout flare-up include :.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC note that gout is most common in the big toe but that it also frequently affects other joints, such as the knee, ankle, and other toes. Treatment can reduce the severity and duration of a flare-up, but people can also take steps at home to manage the symptoms. During a flare-up, the American College of Rheumatology suggests treatments that include:. A person should work with their doctor to determine the best medications for their situation.

They should make the doctor aware of how well the medications are working and whether there are any side effects. The Arthritis Foundation provides several tips for managing a flare-up, including:.

Learn what foods to eat on a low purine diet. To avoid flare-ups in the future, the CDC recommends:. Diet can affect the symptoms of gout. This means avoiding:. The DASH diet primarily involves fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, while the Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, whole grains, fish, and unsaturated fats.

Anyone who experiences an episode of gout symptoms for the first time should speak with a doctor. The doctor can help the person determine the best course of treatment, which is likely to include dietary changes and home remedies. It is worth contacting a doctor if the recommended treatments are causing side effects or not working. In these cases, doctors can adjust the treatment plan accordingly.

A person with gout should also talk with their doctor if their gout flare-up is lasting longer than usual or the symptoms are worsening. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call if: the pain is getting worse you also have a very high temperature you feel hot and shivery you also feel sick or cannot eat These symptoms could mean you have an infection inside your joint and need urgent medical help.

Do take any medicine you've been prescribed as soon as possible — it should start to work within 2 days rest and raise the limb keep the joint cool — apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes at a time drink lots of water unless a GP tells you not to try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night.

Important It's important to take uric acid-lowering medicine regularly, even when you no longer have symptoms.

Do get to a healthy weight, but avoid crash diets — try the NHS weight loss plan eat a healthy, balanced diet — your doctor may give you a list of foods to include or limit have some alcohol-free days each week drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated exercise regularly — but avoid intense exercise or putting lots of pressure on joints stop smoking ask a GP about vitamin C supplements.

Information: Social care and support guide Read our guide to care and support if you: need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled including family members. Video: gout This video explains how gout affects the body, and what treatments are available.

Media last reviewed: 16 November Media review due: 16 November An episode of gout usually lasts for about 3 days with treatment and up to 14 days without treatment.

Once the initial pain has passed, you can have lingering discomfort. The joint will also usually be inflamed and red, and you may have limited movement in that area.

You may experience frequent episodes of gout, which could lead to chronic gout and permanent joint damage. You may also develop tiny, white and painful lumps under your skin. This is where urate crystals have formed. Gout is usually treated with anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, or colchicine, but there are also certain lifestyle choices that may reduce the duration of an episode of gout, including:.

Anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , should be taken as soon as you experience a flare-up. This medication can be purchased over the counter. If you have a history of gout, make sure you always have anti-inflammatory medication.

That way, if you have an episode, you can take medication as soon as symptoms begin. The anti-inflammatory medication should begin to work within three days. In the meantime, the following home remedies may help:. If the episode has not subsided after three days, talk to your doctor.

They may prescribe steroids, either in tablet form or as an injection. If you have frequent flare-ups, your doctor will probably want to test your blood to check the level of uric acid. If you test positive for a high level of uric acid, then you may be prescribed allopurinol Zyloprim, Lopurin or febuxostat Uloric , which can lower these levels if taken long term.