I've just started having some problems with gout. My doctor wants to stick a needle in the joint and drain the fluid. I'm thinking a wait-and-see approach may be better. What do you advise?
Gout is a chronic condition that can get much worse without proper care. It can affect more than the joints -- kidney failure is a cause of death in 20 per cent of patients with gout.
Removing fluid from the joint is called aspiration. With this procedure, you'll get relief from the acute joint pain. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis and test for any infection. All three of these benefits make aspiration a valuable treatment and diagnostic tool.
A wait-and-see approach is not really advised. By the time gout crystals are present, microscopic damage has been done to the joint. And these crystals are a tip off that the disease has been going on for quite a while without you knowing about it.
Early, consistent treatment is the best approach. Keeping serum urate levels low will help prevent kidney damage. Diet and nutrition and medications are important features of treatment. Results are disappointing with anything less.
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