How to Recognize the Signs of Gout

Gout affects 2.1 million Americans each year. Learn to recognize the signs of gout so you can seek prompt treatment and thus reduce recovery time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Thermometers
• Watches With Second Hands

1. Examine yourself for tight, reddened skin pulled taut over an inflamed joint. Your big toe joint is the joint most commonly affected, but knees, wrists and ankles may also get gouty.
2. Evaluate yourself for pain at the joint site. Often the first pain you'll experience will occur during the night, perhaps waking you from sleep.
3. Ask yourself if your pain is becoming progressively more severe. After several hours, your pain may be described as "excruciating."
4. Check your temperature. If you have even a slight fever (99.4 degrees F or higher) associated with a single painful joint, suspect gout.
5. Check your pulse. Feel for the pulse in your wrist and count the beats for a full 60 seconds, using a watch with a second hand. If your heart beats faster than 100 beats a minute and you have a single inflamed and painful joint, suspect gout.
6. Evaluate your level of fatigue. If you feel lackluster and chronically tired, and have an inflamed and swollen joint, suspect gout.
7. Touch your inflamed joint. If putting a finger gently against the joint makes you wince, suspect gout.

Tips & Warnings

• 275 people in 100,000 suffer from gout. Men are at a much higher risk than women, though women have an increased chance of getting gout after menopause.
• For more information on gout, call the Arthritis Foundation at 800-283-7800.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other healthcare professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.