In today's article we are going to cover the way gout is diagnosed.
Gout is a fairly easy condition to diagnose after the first flare up. A medical doctor will inspect the inflamed joint, usually the big toe. After this initial examination, a discussion of family medical history will shed light on whether there is a genetic link or not.
The next step is for a routine blood examination. This test will determine the concentration of uric acid in the bloodstream. If the levels are above 8.5 mg/dL for men and 6.6 mg/dL for women, combined with the inflammation of a joint, the doctor will usually diagnose gout.
In addition, there may be the need for a more accurate test. In these cases it is necessary to extract synovial fluid around the inflamed joint. The fluid is then examined under a microscope for evidence of uric acid crystals.
Once the diagnosis of gout has been given, the patient has several options. Medication is available, but the side-effects of these drugs can often outweigh many of their benefits. The decision to modify one's lifestyle is usually the preferred method of treatment.
Information on lifestyle changes needed to cure gout will be included in the next newsletter.
Thanks for reading, and I will be back with another installment soon.
Gout is a fairly easy condition to diagnose after the first flare up. A medical doctor will inspect the inflamed joint, usually the big toe. After this initial examination, a discussion of family medical history will shed light on whether there is a genetic link or not.
The next step is for a routine blood examination. This test will determine the concentration of uric acid in the bloodstream. If the levels are above 8.5 mg/dL for men and 6.6 mg/dL for women, combined with the inflammation of a joint, the doctor will usually diagnose gout.
In addition, there may be the need for a more accurate test. In these cases it is necessary to extract synovial fluid around the inflamed joint. The fluid is then examined under a microscope for evidence of uric acid crystals.
Once the diagnosis of gout has been given, the patient has several options. Medication is available, but the side-effects of these drugs can often outweigh many of their benefits. The decision to modify one's lifestyle is usually the preferred method of treatment.
Information on lifestyle changes needed to cure gout will be included in the next newsletter.
Thanks for reading, and I will be back with another installment soon.
