What is Gout? Its Symptoms & Causes

What is gout? Read all about gout including its symptoms and causes.

Home Remedies Topics | What is Gout | Gout Symptoms | Gout Causes | Gout Risk | Gout Prevention | Gout Diet |

Gout is a kind of arthritis. It is a common disorder of uric acid metabolism that can lead to recurrent episodes of joint inflammation, stiffness in joints, sudden burning pain and swelling in the joints. If untreated, gout can harm joints, tendons and other tissues.

Gout usually develops after about 20 years of buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and surrounding tissues.

Approximately 1% of the population is affected with gout, more common in men than women. In women, gout usually occur after menopause, while in men after puberty.

The big toe joint is most commonly affected by gout. The joints of the feet, knees, ankles, elbows, wrists and fingers may also be affected.

The symptoms of gout are not felt in its early stages. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of a gout attack. In some cases, it may first appear as nodules (tophi) on the hands, elbows or ears. By the time the symptoms of a gout attack appear, uric acid deposits have already been formed on the joints due to uric acid buildup. Symptoms may occur after an illness.

The gout attack can last a few days to many weeks. Another attack may not happen for months or years. The difference between other arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout is that while the former usually affects multiple joints simultaneously, the gout generally attacks one joint at a time.

Following are the symptoms of gout:

1. The most common sign of gout is swelling, redness, tenderness and sharp pain usually in the big toe in night. This symptom is called podagra.
2. Very red or purplish skin around the affected joint.
3. Intolerable and intense pain starting during the night.
4. Limitation of movement in the affected joint.
5. Rapid increase in discomfort in the night, lasting for some hours and then easing during the next few days.
6. After the gout attack subsides, the skin around the affected joint may peel and feel itchy.
7. Fever
8. Joint deformation and destruction can happen if several attacks of gout occur each year.

What causes gout? The exact caused of gout is not known. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood or decreased elimination of uric acid by the kidneys. The uric acid may form hard crystals in the joints. When uric acid level in blood exceeds 6.8 mg/dL, uric acid can crystallize.

Uric acid is a byproduct of purine metabolism. Those people who produce excessive amounts of uric acid or are unable to excrete sufficient amounts of uric acid in their urine can have gout attacks. However, many people with high levels of uric acid in the blood never develop gout.

Who are at risk?

The following risk factors can make joints more susceptible to the formation of uric acid crystals and gout.

1. If you are overweight.
2. If you drink alcohol too much, specially beer. Alcohol causes gout by slowing down the excretion of uric acid from the kidneys, thereby increasing the level of uric acid. It also cause dehydration, which precipitates the crystals in the joints.
3. If you eat too much meat and seafood that are high in chemicals called purines, since purine chemicals are converted by the body into uric acid. Foods rich in purines include shellfish and organ meats such as brains, kidneys, liver, etc.
4. Very low-calorie diets can flare up gout.
5. Some medicines such as heavy use of aspirin, diuretics (water pills) and cyclosporine can cause gout. Cyclosporine suppress the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy that cause rapid cell death can cause gout.
7. Certain medical coinditions can cause gout - renal insufficiency, lead poisoning, starvation, hemorrhage, trauma, dehydration, hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, psoriasis, tumors, high blood pressure, etc.
8. If you have undergone a surgery.
9. If you are a male.
10. Your genes may be responsible.

Gout can be prevented by eliminating the above mentioned risk factors.

1. Reduce your weight.
2. Reduce alcohol consumption, if you drink. Alcohol can affect uric-acid metabolism and cause hyperuricemia.
3. Maintain adequate fluid intake.
4. Dietary changes as mentioned on gout diet.
5. Low fat dairy products can reduce the risk of gout.

How is gout diagnosed?

Gout is diagnosed by noting the symptoms and physical examination of the body joints by the Doctor. A blood test is done to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood. A sample of fluid from the joint is tested for the uric acid crystals.

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The content on this website is reviewed regularly and is updated when new information is made available. The information provided is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your Doctor.