Questions on Gout Questions Patients With Gout or a Related Condition May Want to Ask Their Doctors 1. What is gout? 2. What is pseudo-gout? 3. Why is it so painful? 4. Is it a form of arthritis? 5. What causes gout? 6. Is gout hereditary? 7. What does it mean to have a high level of uric acid? 8. Who is likely to develop gout? 9. How is it diagnosed? 10. What is a tophus? 11. How do you treat an acute gout attack? 12. What is the long-term treatment plan? 13. Will I have to take gout medicine for life? 14. Should I stop drinking alcoholic beverages? 15. Does gout increase the risk of developing kidney stones? 16. Is gout a risk factor for heart disease? 17. What are alternative therapies for treating gout? 18. How can I stay healthy?   Questions Your Doctor May Ask You 1. When did you start having pain in your joints? 2. How long do the pain and swelling last? 3. Which joints are most affected by the pain and swelling? 4. Does your ankle or big toe ever swell up? 5. What kinds of over-the-counter medications have you taken to relieve the pain? 6. Do you take aspirin? 7. Are you on high blood pressure medication, like diuretics? 8. How often do you eat organ meats, red meat, seafood, or legumes? 9. Do you drink alcoholic beverages? How much and how often? 10. Have you tried to lose weight?