Does gout ever go away completely?

There is no cure for gout and the condition can worsen over time without proper treatment. Treatments focus on reducing the severity of symptoms during an asthmatic attack and preventing future seizures. Doctors often try to reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood, which contributes to the symptoms of gout. Symptoms don't improve after 48 hours or don't go away after about a week.

If you don't start to feel better after a few days, call your doctor. They may suggest a different treatment. Most gout attacks go away on their own within several weeks, even without treatment. There is no cure for gout, but it can be controlled quite well with medication.

Proper treatment can help you completely avoid attacks and long-term joint damage. Still, it's estimated that 9 out of 10 people with gout will eventually have a gout attack on their big toe, most likely due to the pressure they experience when walking and standing. While 50% of all first gout attacks occur on the big toe, gout can occur in many other joints, including the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and ankles. A key differentiator between gout and other types of arthritis is that gout attacks occur abruptly, often over the course of a day, without warning.

While rheumatologists like me specialize in the advanced treatment of gout, primary care providers can help you prevent or control gout. In fact, the hereditary form of gout usually affects men younger than 30, and this form of gout tends to be serious. Most people with gout don't overconsume alcoholic beverages or foods rich in purines, and even for those who do, eliminating these elements is rarely enough on its own to improve gout symptoms.

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