Severe joint pain, skin redness, and warmth are some of the classic symptoms of gout, which are caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in a joint. Typically, gout occurs in the joints of the big toe, ankle, knee, or heels. However, gout can also affect different joints of the body and unusual gout symptoms can appear. Shared below are some of the uncommon gout symptoms observed in gout patients.
Fever
Gout can lead to inflammation which can become severe enough to result in fever. The patient may also have to endure flu-like indicators, like fatigue and general unwell feeling. Typically, these symptoms occur when gout affects more than two joints of the body. Medical professionals and patients should understand that:
- Fever, swelling, and flu-like indicators can be engendered by gout or arthritis variants such as septic and rheumatoid arthritis.
- A patient can simultaneously experience gout and another type of arthritis.
When joint pain is experienced with flu-like symptoms, diagnosis can be much more challenging. A doctor will conduct a patient interview and clinical evaluation and can also order medical imaging and lab testing. These diagnostic tools together can help rule out other medical conditions and reach a proper diagnosis.
Lower Back Pain
Gout rarely affects the lower back of the patient. However, experts advise on conducting a gout diagnosis if lower back pain is followed by fever which does not subside after medications and treatment. As per healthcare experts, gout in the lower back can also affect the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine. Gout in the sacroiliac joint can also lead to hip pain or lower back pain. In some cases, gout can also affect the upper and middle spine. When any part of the spinal cord is affected by gout, it can result in pinched nerves and damage to the bones in the vertebral column.
Kidney Stones
A high concentration of uric acid in the blood implies a high chance of developing gout. Usually, kidneys will filter out uric acid from our blood and will excrete it out of our body. However, if the level of uric acid produced by the body is very high or when the kidneys are unable to do their job, uric acid crystals can build up and lead to kidney stones. Studies show that uric acid stones account for about 16% of all kidney stones. These stones can be very painful and when left untreated, these stones can result in kidney damage.
