Gout

If you or a family member suffers from gout or pseudogout, the Rheumatology Center of UMass Memorial Medical Center and its team of specialists can help you.

What is Gout?

Gout is a condition in which inflammatory arthritis can occur because of the abundance in your body of a chemical known as uric acid. Uric acid is normally present in blood and tissues, but when there is either under excretion of uric acid by the kidney or overproduction of uric acid, it can accumulate and result in attacks of severe acute or chronic arthritis. Uric acid also can deposit around joints and cause joint destruction or can collect in the skin, forming tophi.

What is Pseudogout? 

Pseudogout is a form of sudden (acute) arthritis caused by a chemical in the body known as calcium pyrophosphate.

While it also causes acute attacks of inflammatory arthritis, it is entirely distinct from gout. Pseudogout is one form of a broader category of disease called calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

Treatment of Gout and Pseudogout

• If you are experiencing painful joints due to gout or pseudogout, our rheumatology experts can help. Your rheumatology care will consist of:
• Confirmation of the diagnosis, based on your medical history, physical examination, blood test(s) and X-rays
• A treatment plan that targets your medical condition and works well with other medications, including IV therapy, if necessary
• Extensive education about lifestyle changes, such as diet, which may result in fewer gout attacks