Symptoms
The most common symptom of gout is sudden and severe pain in one or more joints; especially big toe. Gout is extremely painful condition.Symptoms often develop at night, although they can occur at any time. Other symptoms include:
- Severe pain in and around the affected joint
- Swelling (inflammation), redness and tenderness in the affected joint
- Peeling, itchy and flaky skin over the affected joint
- Sometimes patients can develop fever with acute gout attacks
- Presence of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid
Swelling, redness, tenderness and sever pain at affected joint as shown above.
Causes
Gout occurs due to the deposition of excess of uric acid (natural waste product) in the body. Certain conditions may raise uric acid levels and lead to gout attacks. These include the following:- Foods rich in purines such as shellfish and red meats
- Alcohol in excess
- Sugary drinks and foods that are high in fructose
- Some medications like low-dose aspirin, certain diuretics
- Obesity
- High blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipedemia
- Family history
- Lead exposure