Gout Symptoms

Gout is a medical condition that affects the joints. In this condition, the joint loses its ability to function properly. People affected with gout find it difficult to perform daily chores. Doctors describe gout as a variant of arthritis that worsens with time. If treatment for gout symptoms is ignored, it can permanently damage the joints.

Gout Causes
Too much uric acid in the blood is the primary reason behind the development of gout. Uric acid is obtained from the process of breakdown of purines. Purines are compounds that are naturally found in the human tissue. Maintaining normal uric acid levels in the blood is very important for healthy joints. This is because when uric acid levels exceed beyond a certain limit, it starts accumulating in the crevices of joints. This abnormal build up of uric acid around the tissues of joints, eventually causes swelling and pain.

Gout Symptoms
According to books on 'gout symptoms and causes', gout is typically marked by inflammation of joints. The flexibility of joints reduces considerably and they become more stiff. Although, the human body has more than 200 joints, gout symptoms usually affect the knee, foot and the big toe.

Gout Symptoms on Knee
Knee pain is the first thing that one experiences when gout affects this joint. Apart from knee, the joint appears unusually red and swollen. Walking becomes a painful activity for people with gout in the knee. Bending or putting pressure on the knee with gout can give rise to radiating pain that eventually moves down the leg.

Gout Symptoms on Foot
Gout attacks on foot invade the toe joints. Recurrent bouts of moderate to severe foot pain are often linked to gout attacks. Besides causing pain, redness on toe joints is distinctly visible. Generally the joint of the big toe shows the onset of gout.

Gout Symptoms Big Toe
Studies show that a large percentage of gout patients suffer from joint inflammation of the big toe. Swollen red mass of tissue is seen protruding exactly behind the big toe joint. This large bumpy structure can restrict the movement of the toe substantially. In some cases, moving the big toe becomes next to impossible. The pain and swelling may subside but they are likely to come back and cause discomfort.

Gout Treatment
As purines are also found in foods, cutting back intake of purines from external sources, is essential to improve gout symptoms. Following a gout diet, which means minimizing or staying away from purine rich foods is a pre-requisite for patients suffering from this form of arthritis. In addition to foods to avoid with gout, certain prescription medications will be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually recommended to alleviate pain and swelling of joints.

As gout is the result of excess uric acid production, the doctor may advice the patient to take gout medications like Zyloprim that prevent the body from making too much uric acid. It is observed that kidneys process uric acid and eventually dispose it off through urine. To boost elimination of uric acid in the form of urine, the doctor may ask the patient to take probalan, a medication that can stimulate the kidneys to filter out more uric acid. This can also help to lower elevated uric acid levels.

Remember, gout symptoms can recur if healthy uric acid levels are not maintained in the body. Being watchful about the diet and consuming high purine foods in moderation can go a long way in preventing the recurrence of joint inflammation.