Understand Gout Disease and Its Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Historically known as ‘disease of kings’ and ‘king of diseases’, gout disease is a form of arthritis that typically affects men aged between 30 and 50, and postmenopausal women. An attack of gout disease can occur suddenly, often causing the individual to wake up in the middle of the night due to a sharp pain in one of their big toes.

To ensure its prevention, individuals must be aware of gout disease causes and symptoms. This article explains gout, discussing the gout condition, gout disease symptoms, causes and gout disease treatment.

What is Gout Disease?

The gout condition is a complex form of arthritis that develops because of excess uric acid in the body. The higher-than-usual amounts of uric acid form urate crystals in one’s joints, most often in one of the big toes. This health condition can be extremely painful and even cause mobility issues.

What are Some Common Gout Disease Symptoms?

Here are the common gout disease symptoms that individuals must be aware of:

1. Sharp Joint Pain
   While the gout condition usually develops in one of the big toes, it can occur in any joint. Some other common sites for gout include wrists, fingers, elbows, ankles and knees. Further, the pain in the affected area is typically most severe within the first four to 12 hours after the gout condition develops.
2. Swelling and Redness
   Another gout disease symptom is inflammation and redness at the affected site. The area where gout has developed can appear swollen, red, tender and warm.
3. Impaired Mobility
   The gout condition can restrict one’s movement and impair their range of motion gradually.
4. Lingering Discomfort
   The last gout disease symptom is an ongoing discomfort in the affected area. Once the initial severe pain recedes, a lingering discomfort can persist for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Any subsequent gout condition attacks can also affect more joints and last longer.

Individuals must consult a doctor and book a uric acid test in case they notice the above-mentioned gout disease symptoms.

What is Gout Disease’s Cause?

To explain gout, one needs to understand the role of uric acid. The body produces uric acid to process purines (substances found naturally in one’s body and in certain foods such as organ meat, red meat, and alcohol).

Gout disease is caused by an excess buildup of uric acid in the body. High amounts of this acid result in the formation of urate crystals around joints that can be painful and result in swelling and other gout disease symptoms, as discussed above. Individuals must seek medical attention immediately in case they notice these signs in their bodies.

How is Gout Disease Diagnosed and Treated?

The gout condition is typically diagnosed with an initial physical examination of the affected area and an inquiry into the gout disease symptoms experienced by the individual. The medical practitioner might also require the individual to take a uric acid test. A uric acid test is a type of blood test that ascertains the level of uric acid in one’s body. It is essential for gout disease treatment.

Apart from the uric acid test, doctors might also require an X-ray, an ultrasound, an MRI, and a CT scan. Gout disease treatment usually involves a combination of medicines and dietary/lifestyle changes. Individuals must consult a doctor to manage the gout condition effectively.

Gout disease is a serious health condition that can cause irreversible damage to one’s joints, impairing and restricting their movement. Further, men are more at risk of developing the gout condition than women. To prevent the gout condition, individuals must be aware of common gout disease causes and seek medical attention in case they develop gout disease symptoms. Individuals can also download the Dr Lal PathLabs app to book medical tests.

FAQs

1. What is the gout condition?
   Gout disease is a type of arthritis and is caused when the body has higher-than-usual amounts of uric acid. This excess amount of uric acid can form sharp crystals in one’s joints, typically in one of the big toes. The gout condition can be extremely painful and must be treated immediately.
2. What foods are bad for gout?
   Foods that should be avoided to prevent the gout condition include sugary drinks, sweets, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup, game meats (goose, veal and venison), organ meats (kidneys and liver), red meats, and certain seafood such as mussels, scallops, and tuna.
3. What is gout disease’s cause?
   Gout disease is a result of excess uric acid in the body. A high amount of uric acid creates sharp urate crystals that get deposited in an individual’s joints. This causes pain, swelling and impairs one’s mobility.
4. What are common gout disease symptoms?
   Common gout disease symptoms include sharp joint pain, inflammation, redness, limited mobility in the affected area, and lingering discomfort.