Gout disease

What are the Early Symptoms of Gout

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 16, 2017
What are the Early Symptoms of Gout
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Gout is a term that referrs to a metabolic disease which occurs due to an accumulation of microscopic crystals of uric acid in the blood, causing joint inflammation and intense joint pain. It's a type of arthritis that is very painful and affects the membrane that covers and protects joint cartilage. This occurs more frequently in lower areas like feet and knees, but can also affect other areas like hands and wrists. If you want to know more about this disease, the following OneHowTo article will tell you what the early symptoms of gout are.

You may also be interested in: What are the Causes of Gout
Steps to follow:
1

Gout, as we see in the image, is caused by the presence of higher levels of uric acid than normal. If the synovial fluid, the fluid found around the joint, accumulates an excess amount of uric acid, a formation of crystals of uric acid is produced which leads to the swelling and inflammation of the affected joint.

What are the Early Symptoms of Gout - Step 1
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2

The disease usually manifests itself in what we call a gout attack. Normally, this attack may occur suddenly, causing intense pain which increases progressively, becoming oppressive and unbearable in the affected joint. Therefore, this will be the first sign that you have gout.

3

Among the first symptoms of gout are:

  • The affected area is inflamed and swollen
  • The joint may be hot, red and taut
  • The skin may be shiny and painful to touch or may rub against any object or surface
4

Other gout symptoms that can occur in some cases are the appearance of a slight fever, chills or tachycardia.

What are the Early Symptoms of Gout - Step 4
5

Typically, the first gout attacks will only affect one joint, but if an appropriate treatment is not sought to control the condition, it is likely that the disease will spread to more joints. Furthermore, if the excess uric acid in the blood is not properly regulated, it will accumulate under the skin in the joints, causing whitish or pink swellings called gouty tophi. It is also possible that the kidney may be damaged and suffering renal colic or even a deterioration of its main functions.

6

Similarly, those with more severe cases of gout may experience other symptoms like chronic joint injuries, deformities of the affected joints and suffering from constant pain.

7

If you are interested, you can also read the OneHowTo article What foods to eat if I have gout. It provides useful tips to help you minimize the main symptoms and follow a diet low in uric acid.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What are the Early Symptoms of Gout, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

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What are the Early Symptoms of Gout