Gout is sometimes difficult to diagnose and can be confused with other illnesses, like a sprain or an infection. It is most commonly diagnosed with a physical examination, medical history, and possibly a test to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood. Your doctor may extract fluid from the affected joint, called synovial fluid, with a needle and examine it for crystals under a microscope. There is no permanent cure for gout, but the much can be done to manage the pain of an acute attack, lessen the duration of an attack, and prevent future attacks. Corticosteroid drugs may be injected directly into the affected joint.
Patients usually notice an improvement within a few hours and completely recover within a few days.
Treatment is most effective if it begins as soon as possible when an attack occurs. It can be given by intravenous injection or by mouth. When taken by mouth diarrhea is a common side effect. Colchicine is most effective when given within 12 hours after an acute attack begins. If attacks continue to occur even with these medications and lifestyle changes, a drug to reduce the body's production of uric acid, most commonly allopurinol or probenecid, may be prescribed.