Patient/caregiver was educated on findings to watch for and report by individuals with Gout as follows:
Pain and tenderness –
- Chemicals released due to the inflammation in the gouty joint not only increase sensitivity to pain, but also contribute to release of further pain causing chemicals.
- Uncontrolled inflammation results in exacerbated pain and tenderness in the involved joints.
- Intake of recommended analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications should control pain and tenderness at your comfort level.
- Report to your physician regarding any uncontrolled pain and tenderness, despite compliance with medication intake.
- This will enable your physician to make necessary changes in the medications and/or doses or consider alternative measures.
Warmth, redness, and swelling –
- Chemicals released due to the inflammation in the joint contribute to relaxation and dilation of blood vessels in and around the joint, resulting in more blood flow to the joint.
- Increased blood flow results in warmth and redness to the involved joint. Dilation of blood vessels can also lead to increased leakage of fluid from the blood vessels, contributing to swelling.
- Intake of recommended analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications should control the inflammation, warmth, and swelling.
- Report to your physician regarding any uncontrolled warmth and swelling in the joint, despite compliance with medication intake.
- This will enable your physician to make necessary changes in the medications and/or doses or consider alternative measures.
Stiffness and limited range of motion –
- Unabated pain and swelling in the joint can lead to stiffness and limitation in the range of motion of the involved joints.
- Report to your physician regarding any worsening stiffness and progressing limitation in the range of motion of the joint, for any appropriate relief measures to be considered.
