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Gout Treatment

Delta Medical Clinic -  - Internist

Delta Medical Clinic

Internists located in Burleson, TX

Gout treatment can help reduce flares and allow patients to maintain daily activity levels. Dr. Kofo Ekadi, an internist who serves the Burleson, Texas, area, offers gout treatment at Delta Medical Clinic.

Gout Treatment Q & A

What is Gout?

Gout, inflammatory arthritis, occurs when uric acid levels in the blood increase. Men over age 30 are the most likely candidates, although postmenopausal women can also develop gout. It is more likely to occur in people who have a strong family history of the condition or in people who have kidney disease, which affects uric acid secretion. Gout can cause joint destruction as it progresses.

What Are the Symptoms of Gout?

One of the first signs of gout is deposits of uric acid that develop in the joints, cartilage, bones and under the skin (those under the skin may be visible) due to high uric acid levels in the blood. These deposits, known as tophi, may occur as much as 10 years before a person with gout has any other symptoms. It's not unusual for the first obvious sign of gout to be an acute attack -- often very painful. Although other joints can be involved, gout often appears first in a big toe. Other gout symptoms include fatigue, headache, and chills, especially at night.

What Causes Gout?

Family history is significant in gout, which suggests that genetics play a role. People who are obese or who have metabolic syndrome (a condition that often co-exists with obesity and is considered a pre-diabetic condition) have an increased risk of gout. Heavy alcohol use and a diet high in red meat and seafood are lifestyle factors that seem to influence the risk a susceptible patient will develop gout. As far as the alcohol is concerned, wine doesn't seem to be as important a factor as beer.

What is the Usual Gout Treatment?

Gout is not a curable condition; it must be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. In an acute attack, a medication called colchicine is used to help lower uric acid levels. Pain and inflammation must also be treated during a gout attack; medications may be prescription or over the counter. Long-term gout treatment usually includes the medication allopurinol to lower uric acid levels. Patients are advised to limit red meat and seafood, and limit or eliminate alcohol.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At Delta Medical Clinic, we accept most major insurance plans. Self pay patients are welcome. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. For inquiries on specific insurance plans or pricing, please contact our office.

AARP
Aetna
Amerigroup
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Evercare
First Health
Great West
HealthSmart
Humana
Medicaid
Medicare
Molina Healthcare
Multiplan
Secure Horizons
Superior HealthPlan