My brother and I have both lost our spouses and live together now in our older years. He's developed some gout and refuses to see a doctor for it. Says it will go away on its own. Is this true? Should I insist that he get some kind of treatment? I don't know what to do.

Has this condition been diagnosed by a doctor or has your brother made his own diagnosis? Finding out what the problem really is would be the first step. Most people with an acute gout attack are in so much pain and discomfort, they seek medical help right away. Since the big toe is often affected, walking can become a real problem. In fact, when this condition was described by Hippocrates (the father of medicine), he referred to it as the unwalkable disease.

If an acute case of gout isn't treated, the symptoms may gradually go away over a period of days to weeks. Early treatment is usually to reduce the painful inflammation and discomfort with standing and walking. Doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as the first line of treatment.

For maximal benefit, the medications must be started within the first 12 to 24 hours of the attack. Each NSAID has its own effectiveness, so they aren't all taken in the same dosage or same number of times each day. The physician prescribing the medication will let each patient know what drug to use and when and how to take it.

Your brother may not know that simple treatment with an oral medication can save him a lot of pain and discomfort. It may only require one visit to the doctor but it could be well-worth the time and effort.