Getting Gout Under Control

PBS--Healthy Body Healthy Mind—December 1, 2011

In this video segment of Healthy Body Healthy Mind, rheumatologist Theodore Fields, M.D., FACP and pathologist Edward F. DiCarlo, M.D., of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, shared their expertise on the topic of gout. Below is a summary of the etiology and treatment of gout discussed in the video.

Gout, once thought to be a disease of Kings and Aristocracy, is now considered one of the most common inflammatory conditions. It can also be excruciatingly painful. According to the National Institutes of Health, gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in blood and causes joint inflammation. Often gout can be triggered by certain foods, lifestyle choices and other modifiable risk factors. In this program, we will raise awareness of the causes and symptoms of gout as well as the most effective treatments. We will stress the need for communication between patient and physician. We will hear directly from patients about how the treatments are working for them… and hear from physicians about the importance of sticking with those treatments long term.

Watch the gout video here.