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