Dear mother,

Thanks for your concerns. Gout refers to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints; under the microscope, these crystals look like needles and the protective cells of the body try to "eat them", causing an intense inflammatory reaction. The mainstays of treatment in the acute phase is rest, antiinflammatory medications from the family of ibuprophen (eg. Motrin) for a few days; to prevent recurrences, after the attack is over, patients need a low protein, no alcohol diet and usually a preventive medication called allopurinol. Usually, with therapy most attacks subside in less than 7 days.

Yours truly,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN

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