Gout is a medical condition due to excessive deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. Some of the common reasons for excessive uric acid in the blood are excessive alcohol intake, immunosuppressive and diuretic drugs, excess vitamin B-3, consumption of purine-rich food, hypothyroidism, and obesity. The excessive uric acid deposits in the joints of knees, foot, elbow, and ankle, leading to severe pain, swelling, and movement disabilities. Uncontrolled and untreated gout can even lead to joint deformities. The symptoms of gout may vary from one individual to another, but they generally worsen as the disease progresses.
Signs of gout
- Excessive uric acid changes the pH of the blood and makes it more acidic.
- There is pain and swelling around the affected joints.
- There is an appearance of tophi, which is a deposit of crystalline uric acid and other substances under the skin. Tophi may be painless and may also appear on several body parts.
Stages of gout and the associated symptoms
The progression of gout can be categorized into three stages, and the symptoms of each stage can vary based on the same:
Asymptomatic hyperuricemia: This is the first stage of gout and is generally asymptomatic. In this stage, uric acid crystals start forming around the joints. Any pain attack at this stage is mild and manageable.
Acute intermittent gout: At this stage, the symptoms typically recur and last for 3-10 days. Also, the attacks typically occur during the night or early morning, and the common sites of pain are the knee, toes, midfoot, and fingers. Some of the symptoms of this stage are:
- Intense and sudden pain
- Fever, fatigue, and weakness
- Difficulty in movement and stiffness in the joints
- Acute inflammation and swelling
Chronic Tophaceous gout: This stage is characterized by the development of tophi under the skin. Tophi are deposits of sodium urate monohydrate and typically appear beneath the skin. There are some symptoms specific to this stage:
- Excessive deposition of tophi around the joints, which leads to erosion of bone and other soft tissue like cartilages.
- Tophi deposition can cause the development of chronic arthritis.
- Chronic pain and anemia.
- Inflammation and swelling.
Systemic symptoms of gout
Gout can adversely affect all organs as the disease progresses from mild to severe form. For instance, the deposition of uric acid in the kidney leads to abnormal kidney function called acute uric acid nephropathy. This leads to a decrease in the urine discharge, nausea, development of kidney stones, and systemic edema.
- Excessive uric acid in the blood leads to its secretion in the sweat, a condition called uremic frost
- Breathing issues and fatigue
- Hypertension
Conclusion
Gout is a disorder of disrupted uric acid homeostasis in the body and severely damages the joints in the body. Prolonged and untreated gout can also lead to joint deformity, which makes early diagnosis and treatment in combination with dietary changes very helpful and important in preventing the progression of the disease and further damage to the body tissues.
