Gout Symptoms and Causes

Gout will usually occur after years of uric acid crystal build up. Gout symptoms commonly show up at the base of your big toe. Podagra is an acute gout attack at the base of the big toe. Other affected areas include wrists, ankles, knees and elbows. The most common gout symptoms are a sharp pain in the joint, a warm feeling, possible swelling and tenderness. The affected area can be so painful that you may not be able to touch it without causing immense pain. Once the gout attack is over, your skin may begin to peel and the affected area may become itchy. Fever has also been known to develop as well. Gout attacks could last hours or even up to days. It is not common for the pain to last for more than a couple of weeks but the attacks will recur if not treated properly.

Other gout symptoms could arise after surgery or an illness. Chronic gout may also arise and occurs in older people and is not as painful and can often be mistaken for other types of arthritis. You may also notice nodules on your ears or hands but in the end, there are no clear symptoms of gout.

Normally before you begin to notice any gout symptoms, uric acid most likely has been building up in your body and deposits formed on the joint. As stated above the big toe is a common affected area and inflammation of the bursae can occur especially in the elbow.

Gout Symptoms – How is Gout diagnosed?

A diagnosis is usually determined when gout symptoms such as a history of arthritis attacks is reported. The big toe is usually the first sign of gout and where you may notice gout symptoms, which is also known as Podagra. The knees and ankles are usually the next joints that are affected. Normally, the disease will move from joint to joint unlike other forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis which attack more than on joint at a time. Learn more about gout treatment.

Gout Symptoms and Arthrocentesis

Arthrocentesis is a test given under local anesthesia and is a reliable test for gout. The procedure looks for uric acid crystals taken from the joint fluid. The fluid is taken from the joint with a needle and is then analyzed for the uric acid crystals and is further examined for infection. If tophi nodules are found, the test can reveal the urate crystals. Rheumatologists are trained for this type of examination and are usually the type of physician who administer the test for diagnosis of gout symptoms.

Often times people with a history who have gout symptoms will be treated without having to undergo arthrocentesis. Although the testing procedure is the best route to take as gout symptoms have been known to mimic other forms of arthritis. X-rays can also assist in identifying tophi crystal deposits as well as bone damage from repeated attacks of inflammation caused by gout. If you are experiencing any of these gout symptoms, schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible.

Gout Symptoms and Risks

Besides inherited abnormality of your body processing uric acid, there other risks such as alcohol abuse, obesity, kidney abnormalities and high blood pressure. There are medications, aspirin, pyrazinamide, cyclosporine and thiazide diuretics that can also attribute to high uric acid levels which could bring on gout symptoms. There are other conditions that can lead to gout such as dehydration, surgery or an injury to a joint.

Uric acid comes from the food we consume. Some patients generate too much uric acid and referred to as over producers. Some people cannot rid uric acid from urine, which are called under excreters. Gender, nutrition and genetics can bring on gout symptoms. Here a few gout facts.

• Gout is genetically carried on by 21% of offspring.
• People living in England are 5 times more likely to develop gout.
• Non African blacks are more susceptible to gout than others.
• Alcohol, most likely beer will increase the risk of gout symptoms.
• Red meats, yeast and fish also increase risk.

Learn more about what gout is.