Gout is formed by the accumulation of uric acid around your joints. Uric acid is an element formed by your body when it breaks down food, and if it is formed in excess levels, it will crystalize and get collected around your joints. This can cause swelling, inflammation and pain in your joints. The pain caused by gout will be severe and intense. However, this pain can be effectively reduced by gout treatment.
If you are able to diagnose gout in the early stages itself, you can simply control it with some diet changes. But if the condition has been persisting for a long time, then you will need a long-term gout treatment for controlling it. Hence, it is important to treat this disease before it becomes severe.
If you have chronic gout, you may find hard lumps accumulating in the soft flesh areas of your body over time. Also, you will experience excruciating pain and stiffness. If the lumps are formed in the kidney, it may cause painful and dangerous kidney stones. Therefore we mention some gout symptoms to help you to find out whether your gout has become chronic or not.
Symptoms that your gout is getting severe
Flares occur more frequently and persist for a long time: Over time, your gout flares can occur more often and persistent inflammations on the joints can seriously damage your cartilage and bones.
Flare-up happening in other body parts: If you had gout for a long time, you can notice that it is spreading to your other joints. People with gout usually have their first attack on the joint associated with your big toe, and when time passes it can affect your other joints too.
Formation of bumps under the skin: When gout becomes chronic, uric acid crystals will begin to get collected in your soft tissues forming lumps known as tophi. They usually appear on fingers, hands, ears, and elbows, but they can be also found on other parts of the body too.
Kidney problems: Your kidneys are responsible for getting rid of uric acid from your body. But the excess amount of this element can damage these organs too. If you have kidney problems associated with your gout, then it indicates that your condition is getting worse. It can lead to kidney stones and even kidney failure in some cases.
What should you do?
If you notice that your gout is getting worse, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Starting the gout treatment at the right time can help you to control gout symptoms effectively.
