Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by severe flare-ups of pain in the joints. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that gout is a complex condition that affects men more often than women. Women become more susceptible to developing gout however, after they go through menopause. Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals that form around the joints, casing inflammation and painful swelling.
Pain
Pain created by gout is almost always sudden and unexpected. Painful joints often wake patients up in the middle of the night. The first episode of gout may be a sudden jabbing pain on a small joint, like a toe or finger. The joint in one of the big toes is often the first place affected by gout, though it can develop initially in the feet, ankles, wrists, hands or knees. Early symptoms of gout are fleeting. The pain may last for about 10 days, and then slowly dissipate over the next two weeks until it is gone entirely. Some people have only one or two episodes and never have a gout attack again, while others may develop chronic gout that can lead to permanent nodes under the skin and kidney stones.
Swelling
The joint affect by gout will be red and tender to the touch. The area becomes swollen, making it difficult to put on shoes or use the hand that is affected. The skin over the painful swollen joint will be warm or hot to the touch as well.
Diagnostics
Because the nature of gout is so fleeting, doctors often prescribe laboratory tests following the early symptoms of the disease. A uric acid test can tell whether the body is breaking down cells too quickly and not eliminating uric acid fast enough. When a patient present with symptoms that may be caused by gout, a uric acid test can confirm the condition and begin treatment. Patients with intermittent bouts of gout can become better informed about their condition after a positive confirmation from a lab test. Since many patients, especially the elderly, often do not report the early symptoms of gout since the pain eventually goes away, doctors often request a uric acid test to make sure that kidneys are functioning properly and the patients is not undergoing more advanced stages of the disease. Patients found to have high uric acid levels can be treated with medications that can help to alleviate further attacks.
