Gout Diseases

One of the oldest diseases ever documented, gout is a form of arthritis that causes often severe inflammation of the joints. Patients report feelings of sharp severe pain accompanied with excessive swelling. Gout often affects people at the extremities, with the big toe often suffering the brunt of the swelling. Other areas that are often affected include the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet. What causes gout?

Gout is caused when the body produces excessive uric acid that causes crystals to form in the synovial joint. This in turn causes the pain and swelling that are the hallmarks of the disease. Some arthritis experts believe that gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis.

With over half a million people diagnosed with the disease in the United States alone, there are many people who seek relief in different treatment options. Although the disease was once associated with gluttony, health professionals, their patients, and the general public, have all become better educated about the causes, symptoms and treatments for gout.

Before a treatment plan can be outlined, your doctor will ensure a positive diagnosis for the disease. Since gout can resemble other forms of arthritis, this is not always easy at first glance. However, a physical examination and diagnostic tests can quickly reveal gout.

A sample of your joint fluid will be taken by your doctor to detect the presence of uric acid crystals, and a blood sample may also be taken to measure the level of uric acid in your body. One of the hallmarks of this disease is that symptoms tend to develop rather quickly. Many patients report that their gout seemed to have developed overnight. Patients report feelings of sudden pain and swelling around the affected joint.

The skin around the affected area turns pink-red and appears shiny. Interestingly, many patients report that these incidents tend to occur at night. If left untreated, these forms of 'gout attacks' tend to last for about a week. Other hallmarks of this disease include lumps present under the skin, especially around the areas of the heels, elbows, or even ears.

Uric acid crystals that form in the joint space are responsible for these bumps. Sometimes, the uric acid crystals can also cause kidney stones in some patients. For some people, these unforgettable gout attacks are a one-time occurrence. However for many others, these gout attacks occur at regular intervals, appearing and subsiding every few months. If left untreated, gout can progress quickly and cause permanent damage to the joints.

Treatment of gout has a strong success rate. To control the amount of uric acid produced by your body, your doctor will prescribe special medications.