Gout symptoms occur when there is too much uric acid in the body. The build up of Monosodium urate crystals due to an excess of uric acid can cause gout symptoms in and around the joints.
Foods that are high in purines can raise uric acid levels in some people and lead to gout attacks. Purines are found in many of the foods we eat. Most gout cures and gout home remedies include the lowering of uric acid levels.
An excess of uric acid in the blood is primarily caused by one of two circumstances. There is either an increase in uric acid production in the body or your body is unable to adequately eliminate uric acid. If we learn to identify the signals and signs of gout symptoms, we’ll be better prepared to avoid gout attacks and treat gout attacks successfully.
Gout symptoms you need to be aware of
Gout symptoms are generally identified by feelings of warmth, pain or swelling. There may be some tenderness in the joints. Often the joints of the toes are affected. This is known as “podagra”.
Many people report pain symptoms that begins at night just before bedtime. There is often a rapid increase in specific discomfort that will peak during the night and fade in severity over the next several days. This is sometimes followed by an itching and peeling of skin near the affected area.
The stages of gout symptoms
Asymptomatic hyperuricemia: This is an early stage where there is an increased level blood uric acid without symptoms of gout.
Acute gout: This is a secondary stage where one joint usually is painfully inflamed. This period can last up to 2 weeks without treatment. These gout symptoms might not occur again for weeks or months.
Interval Gout: Between gout attacks, the gout sufferer may experience no gout symptoms. Many believe they’ve been cured and return to their bad gout habits of eating purine-rich foods and excessive alcohol consumption.
Tophaceous gout: This is a more advance stage where an inflamed joint becomes more frequently affected. The associated discomfort is more severe and it may affect multiple joints at this stage. The formation of crystals often form lumps under the skin. Kidney stones have also been known to develop at this stage.
Defining a typical gout attack
Gout attacks generally happen relatively quickly with uncomfortable early gout symptoms that include feelings of warmth, swelling, pain and redness during the night. Over the next several hours the levels of pain and discomfort can increase in severity and become worse.
The big toe is the most commonly affected area. 90 percent of gout sufferers report pain in the big toe area. Ankles, heels and knees are common areas of gout symptom discomfort as well. Wrists fingers and elbows are the least frequently affected areas. Walking can be difficult during gout attacks and many people develop fever and chills.
It’s important to identify and treat gout symptoms as early as possible to help minimize and preferably prevent further gout attacks. Many physicians recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help with swelling and pain.
NSAID gout medications are known to provide relief from the sudden onset of gout symptoms associated with gout attacks. Visit Indomethacin Gout Relief to learn how Indomethacin (Indocin) has been shown to lead the pack for quick gout pain relief. Try to keep a supply of NSAIDs on hand for occasional gout attacks.
Treat gout symptoms as quickly as possible to minimize gout pain and help prevent further gout symptoms. If you target the problem areas and incorporate improved lifestyle modifications, your chances for effective gout remedy can be greatly increased.
