The first step in diagnosing the disease is to determine which joints are affected. A physical examination and medical history can help confirm or rule out gout. For example, gout is more likely if arthritis first appears in the big toe.
The speed of the onset of pain and swelling is also important. Symptoms that take days or weeks (rather than hours) to develop probably indicate a disorder other than gout.
Abnormal enlargements in joints that had been affected by previous injury or...Read more
Gout is a form of rheumatic arthritis that attacks the joints, tendons, and other tissues. Most gout patients, about 90% are men over the... Read more »
In short, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease which attacks joints in the body. It can affect the alignment and positioning... Read more »
You’ve developed a strange little numbness and tingling in the fingers of your left hand. It doesn’t really hurt, but it’s just....... Read more »
Even with all of today's technology, doctors still rely on their feelings -- literally -- to diagnose some problems. For example, there are 20... Read more »