Gout
Gout Treatment in Dubai
Stop gout attacks for good. A consultant rheumatologist at Dubai Healthcare City treats acute flares and starts the long-term urate-lowering therapy that actually prevents recurrence.
What is gout?
Gout is caused by uric acid crystals forming in a joint. The result is one of the most painful things in medicine: a joint (classically the big toe) that turns red, hot and untouchable within hours. Attacks settle on their own after a few days — which fools people into thinking it's over. Without treatment the attacks come back, more often and in more joints, and can eventually cause permanent damage.
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe pain — usually in the big toe, ankle or knee
- The joint is hot, red and too tender to touch
- Attacks that peak within 12–24 hours
- Symptoms that ease over a few days but keep coming back
- Firm lumps (tophi) under the skin over ears or joints in long-standing gout
How we diagnose gout
The pattern of an attack is usually enough to make the diagnosis on the day. We confirm with a blood uric acid level (measured properly, not during the attack itself) and, when needed, ultrasound of the joint to see the crystals. Kidney function and blood pressure are checked at the same visit — they matter for treatment choice.
Treatment plan
- Anti-inflammatories or colchicine to settle an acute attack fast
- A short course of oral steroids if NSAIDs aren't safe for you
- Long-term urate-lowering therapy — allopurinol or febuxostat — with a serum urate target below 360 µmol/L (300 if tophi are present)
- Slow, steady dose titration with regular blood checks
- Practical dietary guidance: alcohol, sugary drinks, red meat and shellfish
- Screening for the conditions that travel with gout — high blood pressure, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome
Why so many people give up on gout treatment
The commonest reason gout treatment fails is under-dosing. Allopurinol is often left at 100 or 200 mg — enough to look like a prescription, not enough to lower uric acid below the crystal-forming threshold. We titrate the dose against a blood target and stay with it until attacks stop and tophi shrink.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be in an attack to be seen?
No — the best time to sort out long-term gout is between attacks, when we can measure a true baseline uric acid and start prevention properly. If you're in an attack now, come in and we'll settle it first.
Is gout really caused by diet?
Diet is only part of the picture. Most gout comes from how your kidneys handle uric acid, which is largely genetic. Diet tweaks help; they rarely fix it on their own. Long-term medication is what actually stops the attacks.
How long will I be on allopurinol?
Usually for life. Gout doesn't 'burn out' — the uric acid crystals keep forming as soon as levels rise again. The good news is that at the right dose most people never have another attack.
Can gout damage the joints permanently?
Yes, if left untreated. Repeated attacks and tophi eat into cartilage and bone. This is why we don't just treat flares — we treat the underlying uric acid.
Is my insurance likely to cover this?
Consultations, blood tests and standard gout medication are covered by most UAE insurers. We'll check your specific plan before you come in if you send us the details.