Gout is a complex and painful form of arthritis. Anybody can get affected by this common form of arthritis. Gout symptoms include severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness of affected joints, etc.
Gout attacks are known to be sudden and usually characterized by a burning sensation in the big toe, making you feel as if it is on fire. The affected joint such as the big toe becomes so tender and swollen that even the slightest weight of a piece of cloth on top might feel intolerable.
Few Common Symptoms Of Gout
Gout can affect any joint in your body; however, the big toe joint is the most commonly affected one. Knees, ankles, elbows, fingers and wrists are other commonly affected joints. Once affected by gout, the resultant intense joint pain can be the most severe in the four to twelve hours after the pain first starts. The pain from the first attack usually subsides after a few days. But, the discomfort caused to the joint may last a few weeks. Subsequent gout attacks may leave you in intense pain and joint discomfort for longer periods.
Inflammation and redness to the joints are other common symptoms of gout characterized by swollen, warm, red and tender joints. The progression of gout may limit the movement of joints and result in limitation in overall mobility.
Time To Seek Medical Care
High levels of uric acid in the body are the major cause of gout. The increase in the level of uric acid can have many contributing factors from your day-to-day life such as medical conditions, certain medications, your body weight and diet. Those with a family history of gout are predisposed to this condition from an early age. Older men are more susceptible to gout than women due to the higher levels of uric acid in men’s bodies.
Gout management necessitates timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment. If left untreated, gout can cause permanent joint damage and can progress unchecked. If you experience intense pain in any of your joints that last longer than a few hours, you should seek medical care. Fever, hot and inflamed joints, etc are tell-tale signs of an infection and need to be attended to as early as possible.
Gout is a painful yet manageable form of arthritis. The occurrence and intensity of gout attacks and associated symptoms can be managed well with a good treatment plan, thereby helping maintain the quality of life of those affected.
