Gout is a painful form of arthritis in which sharp urate crystals collect in joints. The Mayo Clinic reports that, in addition to intense joint pain, gout causes lingering discomfort, inflammation and redness in the affected joints. While uric acid production in the body is normal, urate crystal only forms when uric acid levels in the blood are abnormally elevated. There are a few types of gout, which differ based on whether the gout is acute or chronic, and the body part affected.
Acute Gout
Acute gout, also often called a "gout attack," is characterized by intense and possibly debilitating pain in the affected joints. Dr. Aaron Eggebeen of the University of Pittsburgh Arthritis Institute published an article in American Family Physician in September 2007 summarizing both the acute and chronic forms of gout. Eggebeen notes that acute gout may affect one or multiple joints and causes severe pain. The pain often begins in the morning, escalates until it peaks at 24 to 48 hours and generally dissipates without treatment in five to seven days. The inflammation of the joints causes them to appear red and swollen.
Chronic Tophaceous Gout
Chronic tophaceous gout is characterized by chronic and recurrent attacks of gout. Eggebeen notes that, in chronic tophaceous gout, urate crystals often deposit in the ear, over the tip of the elbow and in the finger joints. If this form of gout remains untreated, the affected joint may begin to erode and ultimately be destroyed. Sometimes, the affected joints may look similar between chronic tophaceous gout and rheumatoid arthritis. However, only chronic tophaceous gout has deposited urate crystals in the joints, which can confirm diagnosis. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that chronic tophaceous gout develops approximately 10 years after the first onset of acute gout, especially if the gout remains untreated.
Podagra
Podagra is a common type of gout that involves urate crystals collecting in the big toe joint. In fact, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the first sign of gout in 60 percent of middle-aged patients that develop gout is podagra. This form of gout is characterized by a painful, swollen and red big toe. Eggebeen adds that occasionally podagra is so painful that people with this form of gout will not wear socks or even let the toe come into contact with the bed sheets.
