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Gout is a problem that develops after a long period of increase of uric acid crystals in the joints and surroundings tissues. Unwanted symptoms are developed because of gout. These may include warmth, pain, swelling, extreme sensitivity in joints. One of the most seen cases of gout is big toe joint problem, also called podagra. Other symptoms of gout include pain during the night and repeatedly and rapid increase of discomfort lasting for some hours, followed by an easing of the pain in the next days. This pain may last from 2 to 7 days.
Gout is a disease that may lead to purplish skin around the affected joint. It may look as an infected area. Fever is another possible symptom developed because of gout. Another problem surely is the limited mobility of the affected joints.
Gout symptoms may vary from case to case. In some cases gout symptoms may occur after an illness or after a surgery. Cases of people developing rare painful attacks are known but it is also known that people might develop chronic gout even if they do not experience often painful attacks.
In the first phase of gout, nodules, also known as tophi, appear on the hands, elbows or ears but afterwards different symptoms may develop in each case.
By the time people notice the symptoms of gout attackthe uric acid has surely been building up in their blood and had also deposit in one or more of their joints.
The most common affection is the big toe joint problem. Even is this affection is noticed in most of the cases it is not excluded that other joints of the feet, ankles, knees, wrists, fingers or elbows to be affected too.
As most of the health problems gout symptoms are related to other medical conditions. Other problems with symptoms similar to those of gout are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or joints infected with bacteria. Unlike gout rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in hips and shoulders which are usually spared in gout. The symptoms are about the same in osteoarthritis too. An infected joint cause’s similar symptom with gout but the treatment involves intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization.
We also have to mention that pseudogout is a problem that affects the joints too. It is a disease in which calcium deposits in and around the joints. The symptoms like swollen, painful knee, ankle or wrist are similar to symptoms developed in gout. Acute septic arthritis can damage joints too. |
