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It is a very painful and systemic disease that is characterized by sudden and severe attacks of pain, redness, tenderness and swelling of the joints. The most affected is the big toe and the ankle joints. It usually develops with the elevated levels of serum uric acid. An elevated blood level of uric acid occurs when the liver produces more uric acid than the body can excrete in the urine, or when a diet high in rich foods is consumed and produces more uric acid than the kidneys can filter from the blood. With the time the excess of uric acid crystallizes in the blood and gets accumulated in the spaces between joints and cause swelling, inflammation and pain in the joints.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), gout affects approximately 2.1 million people in the United States.
It is a complex disorder that can affect both the sexes but more prone are men. But after menopause women get more susceptible to the disease. The condition is rare in children and young adults.
Symptoms for Gout
It occurs very suddenly and quickly, mostly occurs at night. The common symptoms are:
- Joint pains
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Swelling
- Stiffness
Causes for Gout
It is mainly caused by accumulation of the uric acid in the joints. It can also be an inherited disease. Various other causes of the gout are the diabetes, obesity, kidney problems and sickle cell anemia. Cyclosporine is a medication used to suppress the body's immune system and also increases the risk for developing gout. |
