Gout is a type of arthritis that is described by the Mayo Clinic as a sudden severe pain and swelling in the joint. The most common joint affected is the big toe. Increased levels of uric acid in the body lead to gout. Acute attacks of gout can cause excruciating joint pain, but without treatment gout can cause more long-term complications.
Joint Damage
If gout is not treated, the disease can destroy cartilage and bone within joints, according to HealthCentral.com. This damage can be very painful and cause irreversible deformities of the affected joints. In the worst cases, joint destruction can result in permanent disability.
Tophi
Crystals of uric acid can build up under the skin. This accumulation of uric acid is called tophi, according to National Health Services UK.
Tophi look like small white lumps underneath the patient's skin. Tophi usually develop on the fingers, ears and toes, but they can occur in the spinal cord or throat. These lumps are usually painless, but in rare cases can cause damage to surrounding bone and tissue. This can lead to chronic pain at the site of the tophi and may lead to an inability to perform everyday tasks. The type of symptoms caused by tophi depends on the site of the masses. A tophi on a joint can make moving painful, while a lump of uric acid in the throat can cause pain while swallowing or speaking.
Kidney Conditions
Gout has been seen to cause disorders in the kidney. The two most common reported by HealthCentral.com are kidney stones and kidney disease. Both can be hazardous to the patient.
Kidney stones develop in 10 to 25 percent of patients suffering with gout, according to National Health Services UK. Kidney stones can block the flow of urine, and this can cause an urgency to urinate and pain upon urination. Kidney stones can also increase the patient's chances of developing a urinary tract infection.
Gout causes progressive kidney disease in 25 percent of patients, according to HealthCentral.com. The high uric acid levels usually aggravate a pre-existing kidney disorder. The kidney then begins to shut down and this may lead to kidney failure.
Psychological Effects
The psychological effects of gout have been studied by National Health Services UK. The organization reports that gout can cause adverse changes to a person's behavior and mood. The severe pain associated with gout can decrease a patient's ability to move around and interact with the environment. This sedentary lifestyle may lead to feelings of anxiety or depression.
