| Gout is also known as crystal-induced arthritis. It is a | | | | pseudo-gout, results from the deposits of |
| medical condition that sets in when uric acid crystals | | | | calcium-based crystals in the joints. In almost 90 |
| collect on the joints. At the first stage, gout usually | | | | percent of incidences of gout, men over the age of 40 |
| affects the large joints in the big toe. Gradually it can | | | | and menopausal women are affected. An "episode" |
| spread to other parts of the body, like the ankles, the | | | | often takes place during the night. Within 12 to 24 |
| instep, the heels and the knees, the wrists and fingers | | | | hours of the onset, the afflicted joint becomes |
| of the hand and the elbows. In severe cases, even the | | | | severely inflamed and starts to ache rigorously. The |
| shoulders, hips or spine can be affected. Gout does | | | | gout attack usually lasts about five to 10 days. The |
| not spread from one joint to the next. Uric acid is a | | | | Signs and Symptoms of Gout include: Hyperuricemia |
| metabolic end product that is formed at the time the | | | | Presence of uric acid crystals in joint fluid More than |
| body breaks down purines present in certain food | | | | one attack of acute arthritis Arthritis that develops in 1 |
| items. In normal conditions, the uric acid gets dissolved | | | | day Attack of arthritis in only one joint, usually the toe, |
| in the blood and gets eliminated from the body through | | | | ankle, or knee A painful joint that is swollen, red, and |
| the kidneys into the urine. However, people having a | | | | warm The probable causes of gout include: Genetic |
| propensity for gout have such high levels of uric acid in | | | | defects in metabolism resulting in hyper-production and |
| their blood that the acid precipitates out in the form of | | | | retention of uric acid in the blood Kidney failure leading |
| crystals. The crystals get accumulated on the joints | | | | to hampered elimination of uric acid from the body |
| and other tissues, leading to inflammation and | | | | Diuretic medications employed in the treatment of |
| excruciating pain. A chronic condition can lead to the | | | | heart failure and diabetes. Erratic lifestyle, alcohol |
| formation of tophi lumps formed under the skin due to | | | | abuse, purine-rich diet and excess weight Surgery or |
| large deposits on severely affected joints of the | | | | sudden injury, severe illness Proper understanding of |
| elbow, fingers and toes, and even on the external | | | | the cause and symptoms of gout can help in achieving |
| pinna. Another medical condition, referred to as the | | | | a successful cure for gout attacks. |