Best Doctors for Gout in Chennai

Types/Stages of Gout

Gout typically progresses through several stages:

• Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: At this stage, uric acid levels are high, but there are no visible symptoms.

• Acute Gout: This is marked by sudden and intense joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth, often in the big toe joint.

• Interval or Intercritical Gout: This pertains to the symptom-free time between acute attacks.

• Chronic Tophaceous Gout: If untreated, gout may advance to this stage, characterised by frequent attacks and the formation of tophi (hard lumps) under the skin, causing joint damage.

Symptoms of Gout

Gout presents with a set of distinct symptoms:

• Sudden, severe pain in the joints often beginning with the big toe.

• Joint swelling and redness.

• Warmth over the joint area.

• Decreased mobility in the affected joint.

Tests to Diagnose Gout

Several tests assist doctors in diagnosing gout:

• Physical examination and a comprehensive medical history review.

• Uric acid blood test, although this can be normal during an attack.

• Joint aspiration to look for uric acid crystals.

• X-rays to check for any joint damage.

• Dual energy CT scan or ultrasound to detect uric acid crystals.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Gout at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

At Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, gout treatment specialists aim to provide comprehensive management options:

• Medications: NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids are prescribed to relieve acute symptoms.

• Uric Acid Lowering Therapy: Medications like allopurinol or probenecid lower uric acid levels to prevent future attacks.

• Tophi Dissolution: Treatment plans target the dissolution of tophi and the prevention of complications.

• Surgery: While rarely needed, severe cases of gout resistant to standard treatments may require surgical intervention.