K.N.O.W. Home Health - GOUT ARTHRITIS

GOUT ARTHRITIS

What is Gout?

Gout is a kind of arthritis, which means it causes pain and swelling in the joints. It happens when too much uric acid builds up in the body. This extra uric acid forms sharp crystals that settle in the joints, usually in the big toe, but it can also affect the ankle, knee, or fingers.

Gout attacks can come on suddenly and be very painful.

Cause of Gout

Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Uric acid comes from breaking down certain foods. Normally, the kidneys remove it through urine. But if your body makes too much uric acid or your kidneys don’t get rid of enough, it can build up and form crystals in your joints.

Foods and drinks that can cause gout include:

Red meat
Shellfish
Sugary drinks
Alcohol, especially beer

Other causes or risk factors include:

Being overweight
Having kidney problems
Taking certain medications
Family history of gout

Treatment

Medicine to reduce pain and swelling (like NSAIDs or colchicine)
Medicine to lower uric acid levels (for long-term control)
Rest the joint and keep it raised if swollen
Ice packs to reduce swelling
Healthy diet and drinking water

Reducing Inflammation and Pain

Take your medicine exactly as prescribed
Drink plenty of water every day
Avoid foods that raise uric acid levels
Don’t drink alcohol or sugary drinks
Keep a healthy weight
Use ice packs on swollen joints for 15-20 minutes at a time

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your nurse or doctor if:

The pain or swelling is getting worse
You have more attacks more often
You have a fever with your joint pain
Your medicine is not working
You notice side effects from your medicine

When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Go to the ER if:

You cannot walk or move because of pain
You have a high fever and chills
The joint is red, hot, and swollen, and you feel very sick
You are vomiting, dizzy, or confused

Patient Homework/Assessment

Choose True or False for each statement: If the statement is false, please correct the statement

True or False: Gout is a kind of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling.
True or False: Uric acid crystals are soft and cushion the joints.
True or False: Gout most often starts in the big toe.
True or False: Drinking lots of water can help reduce gout attacks.
True or False: Gout is caused by not having enough iron in your blood.
True or False: Red meat and alcohol can make gout worse.
True or False: The kidneys help remove uric acid from the body.
True or False: Gout pain usually comes on slowly over weeks.
True or False: Gout can be treated with medicine to reduce swelling and pain.
True or False: You should drink sugary sodas if you have gout.
True or False: Being overweight can raise your risk of having gout.
True or False: Ice packs can help reduce swelling during a gout attack.
True or False: You should ignore new or worse pain in your joints.
True or False: A healthy diet can help prevent gout attacks.
True or False: If your joint is red, hot, and you have a fever, you should go to the ER.
True or False: All people with gout need emergency treatment.
True or False: It’s okay to skip your medicine if you feel better.
True or False: Gout can happen more often if it is not treated.
True or False: You should call your doctor if your medicine isn’t working.
True or False: Gout only affects people who eat unhealthy food.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

My last Uric Acid level was ___________

Can you describe where your gout flare-ups usually occur, such as in your big toe, ankle, or another joint, and how often they happen?

Have you noticed if certain foods or drinks, like red meat, seafood, or alcohol, seem to trigger or worsen your gout symptoms?

When you have a flare-up, how does the pain and swelling affect your ability to walk, sleep, or perform daily activities?

Are you currently taking any medications for gout, and if so, do they seem to reduce the frequency or severity of your attacks?

ANSWER KEY

True – Gout is a form of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling.
False – Uric acid crystals are sharp and painful, not soft.
True – The big toe is the most common joint where gout starts.
True – Drinking water helps flush out uric acid.
False – Gout is not caused by iron levels; it’s caused by high uric acid.
True – Foods like red meat and alcohol raise uric acid and make gout worse.
True – The kidneys normally remove uric acid through urine.
False – Gout attacks come on suddenly, often overnight.
True – Medicine is used to treat both the pain and long-term control.
False – Sugary drinks can trigger gout attacks and should be avoided.
True – Being overweight increases the risk of gout.
True – Ice packs help reduce pain and swelling in the joint.
False – New or worse pain should always be reported to your nurse or doctor.
True – Eating a healthy diet helps reduce flare-ups.
True – These are signs of a serious infection or severe flare that needs emergency care.
False – Not all gout cases need emergency treatment; most are treated at home.
False – Medicine should be taken exactly as directed, even if you feel better.
True – Without treatment, gout attacks can happen more often.
True – Always contact your doctor if medicine isn’t helping.
False – Gout can affect people for many reasons, not just food choices.