Gout Care for Adults in the Bay Area

Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one or more joints. It happens when too much uric acid in the body forms sharp crystals that collect in a joint, most often the big toe, and trigger a flare. Attacks tend to come on quickly, often at night, and usually last one to two weeks. With the right care, gout is one of the most controllable forms of arthritis. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage gout for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.

What are the symptoms of gout?

Gout flares are distinctive and usually affect one joint at a time. Common signs include:

• Sudden, intense joint pain, often in the big toe
• Swelling and warmth in the joint
• Redness or shiny skin over the joint
• Pain that frequently begins at night and can wake you
• Lingering discomfort or limited motion after the worst pain eases

Over time, untreated gout can affect more joints and lead to uric acid lumps called tophi.

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat gout?

At Avita MD, evaluation begins with your history and an exam of the affected joint, supported by a uric acid blood test that we can draw on-site. When the diagnosis is unclear, joint fluid analysis, which examines fluid from the joint under a microscope for uric acid crystals, gives a definitive answer, and we coordinate this when needed. Same-day and next-day appointments mean a painful flare can be seen quickly rather than waiting it out.

Care has two goals. First we calm the active flare and relieve pain, commonly with NSAIDs, colchicine, or corticosteroids chosen to fit your health and other conditions. Then, for people who have repeated flares, we work on prevention with diet and lifestyle changes and, when appropriate, a daily uric acid lowering medication that we prescribe and monitor. Through longitudinal tracking we follow your uric acid levels and flare history over time, and we coordinate referrals to rheumatology when gout is severe or hard to control.

These factors commonly raise uric acid and can trigger a flare:

Common gout triggers	Why it matters
Red meat and organ meats	High in purines, which raise uric acid
Certain seafood and shellfish	High in purines, which raise uric acid
Beer and liquor	Raise uric acid and can set off a flare
Sugary drinks high in fructose	Increase uric acid production
Some medications, such as diuretics	Can raise uric acid levels

When should you see a doctor about gout?

See a provider when you have sudden, severe joint pain with swelling and redness, especially in the big toe, or when flares keep coming back. Seek care promptly if a joint is hot and very painful along with a fever, since an infected joint needs urgent treatment and can look similar to gout. Getting an accurate diagnosis and starting a prevention plan early protects your joints and keeps gout well controlled.