How to diagnose gout

Gout is a joint disease caused by the deposition of monosodium urate and is closely related to purine metabolism disorders. Once a gout attack occurs, the patient will suffer unbearable pain. When there are suspected symptoms of gout, go to the hospital for examination in time. If it is confirmed that gout is indeed diagnosed, it is necessary to take medication in time. In daily life, you should also pay attention to your diet.

How to diagnose gout

In the early stages of gout, there are generally no obvious symptoms. Patients will not feel any obvious feeling except slight pain, so many people miss the best treatment period due to lack of timely diagnosis. Therefore, when you find yourself having mild pain, you must do relevant examinations. So what kind of examinations do you need for gout?

(1) Routine inspection

Examinations are conducted on the three major routine tests of blood, urine and feces, as well as biochemical items such as blood sugar, blood lipids, liver and kidney function. Examination items include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), five immune items, B-ultrasound, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, etc. The purpose of this examination is to fully understand the basic health status of the human body and to check for side effects of drugs, because some gout drugs cannot be taken when leukopenia and liver and kidney function are abnormal. Those who have the conditions should try to get checked.

(2) Necessary inspection

Blood uric acid (the most important examination item for diagnosing gout), 24-hour uric acid measurement, urine pH measurement, creatinine clearance, X-ray examination of joint lesions (this examination is to understand whether the joint lesions are caused by gout), renal scan and renal biopsy (to understand the damage of hyperuricemia to the kidneys), abdominal plain film and intravenous pyelography (to rule out urate stones in the urinary system).

(3) Identification

This is an examination required for differential diagnosis. For example, when there is fever, blood culture should be done to rule out infection. Joint cavity puncture and fluid extraction for culture can not only differentiate it from other arthritis, but also determine whether it is a symptom of gout. The purpose of the examination of rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA) and other items is also to differentiate from other connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus.

Once gout is diagnosed, active treatment is the key. Otherwise, in serious cases, it may lead to the appearance of tophi. In order to avoid the occurrence of this serious symptom, once gout is diagnosed, scientific and effective treatment measures should be taken in time. Otherwise, the harm caused by gout will only become greater and greater. If you have doubts about the treatment method, you can consult an online expert now.