If your doctor tells you, you have acute gout, your first question may be: What is acute gout?

Acute Gout is a from of arthritis that is not as widely known as some other forms of arthritis, however its symptoms can rival those of any of members of the arthritis family. The pain associated with gout can be debilitating.

Once your doctor explains that gout is a form of arthritis, your next question may be: What is gout going to do to my body?

Gout can attack suddenly and without warning. An attack can cause burning pain, stiffness and swelling. The swelling usually takes place in a joint. The joints of the big toe are common sites for swelling. Over time these attacks can cause permanent damage to joints, tendons and tissue.

Once your doctor has sufficiently answered the first two questions (What is gout? and What is gout going to do to your body?), you may want to ask a third.

If you start treatment immediately, gout symptoms may disappear in twenty-four hours. During an attack, you should rest the joint that is feeling pain. Taking an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen can ease the pain. One important thing to remember with gout is do not take aspirin. Aspirin can be beneficial in treating pain and other symptoms in many diseases, but not so with gout symptoms. Aspirin raises the uric acid level in the blood and this is not something you want to do with gout, which is caused by too much uric acid in the blood.

A doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce uric acid and he may also recommend a change in diet and advise you to drink plenty of water.

What is gout? What is gout treatment? Once you have the answer to those two questions it’s up to you, with the help of your doctor to control the symptoms of gout.