Self-care is important during flares
Goutis inflammatory arthritis that causes severe pain.
While it most commonly affects the big toe, it can also affect other joints, including the elbow.
This article discusses gout in the elbow, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and potential complications.
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Additional risk factors include:
Dietalso contributes to gout.
How Does Elbow Gout Feel?
Elbow gout causes severe pain in the joint and often starts in the middle of the night.
Other symptoms can include:
Gout symptoms can last days or weeks.
Typically, they resolve within two weeks, even without treatment.
They may use additional tests to confirm a diagnosis.
These can include:
Your primary care provider may refer you to an arthritis specialist, such as arheumatologist.
Additional medications and home remedies help treat elbow pain during a gout flare-up.
Over-the-counter NSAIDs typically include Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen).
However, NSAIDs aren’t right for everyone.
Intra-articular cortisone injection by a rheumatologist can also be effective.
Home remedies may help reduce severe elbow pain during a flare-up.
Examples include Benemid (probenecid), Zyloprim (allopurinol), and Uloric (febuxostat).
Dietary changescan also help reduce the risk of gout flare-ups and help you maintain a healthy weight.
What Is a Purine?
Purines are compounds made in the body and found in various foods.
They are important for cells to function properly.
If you develop a fever during a gout flare in the elbow, seek medical attention.
Worsening symptoms can be a sign of a joint infection.
Summary
Gout is an inflammatory arthritis commonly affecting joints, including the elbow.
Anti-inflammatory medications and home remedies can treat elbow gout flares.
Maintenance medications and lifestyle modifications, such as a low-purine diet, can also reduce flares.
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
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doi:10.1155/2019/9896757
National Institutes of Health.Vitamin C may reduce risk of gout.
2021;6:162. doi:10.1038%2Fs41392-021-00553-z
American Kidney Fund.Complications of gout.
