Symptoms of Gout: Gouty Arthritis

Symptoms of Gout or sometimes called Gouty Arthritis can be the most painful chronic type of inflammatory arthritis. Patients with Gouty Arthritis complain of tenderness, redness, and warmth around swelling joints. The most common joint affected by gout is the big toe but it can also affect the heels, ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and fingers. The symptoms of Gout develop quickly and usually occur at night. Gouty arthritis has been around for centuries and was once known as a rich man's disease, since it was believed to be a result of gluttony. Today symptoms of Gout are known to affect people of all walks of life. The term arthritis refers to more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that affect joints, muscle, bone, and other tissues. Gouty Arthritis accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of arthritis.

Gout is a metabolic disorder in which Uric Acid builds up forming crystals in the fluid that lubricates the joint. Uric Acid is a result of broken down purines that are part of all human tissue and found in many foods. It is normally dissolved in the blood and passed through the kidneys then eliminated in urine. When this process does not take place, Uric Acid builds up in the blood (a condition called hyperuricemia) that could cause Gouty Arthritis and kidney stones.

Pseudogout is where calcium phosphate crystals form in the joints versus uric acid. Though they are similar, they both require different treatments. Hyperuricemia maybe a result of consuming high-purine foods such as dried beans, liver, peas, and anchovies.

Several risk factors that may develop symptoms of Gout and Hyperuricemia are:

Genetics may be linked to the disease since almost 18% percent of people with Gout have a family history of it. Though anyone can develop symptoms of Gout, more men develop Gout than women. It affects 70 - 80% of men with the first attack starting between 40 and 50 years of age. Drinking too much alcohol can affect removal of uric acid from the body causing Hyperuricemia and Gout. Other symptoms may include lumps found under the skin around the elbows, heels, or ears.

Symptoms of Gout can be treated with a proper diet and exercise by limiting high-purine foods and alcohol. There are medications available to help control levels of Uric Acid in the body. Doctors have been prescribing Colchicine for Gouty Arthritis. The drug relieves pain quickly but there are some side effects such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Many choose alternative therapies, which include meditation and relaxation, exercise, acupuncture, and natural supplements, such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about starting a diet and exercise regiment.