Gout is a disease caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and tissues. This increasingly common and complex type of arthritis occurs as a result of an increase in uric acid levels in the body. It is a painful and disabling disease that, fortunately, can be treated through medication and lifestyle changes.
This disease is characterized by severe pain, swelling and redness of one or more joints. Gout can appear from adolescence to old age and is much more common in men than in women. Below, we explain the main symptoms and the treatments that patients can undergo.
The main symptoms of gout are episodes of joint pain and inflammation that occur suddenly. The big toe is the area most frequently affected during so-called gout attacks, although it can spread to other parts of the body such as the ankles, knees or wrists. Typically, gout patients also experience increased sensitivity and warmth to touch in these joints.
The pain is usually complemented by other temporary symptoms such as fatigue, fever, or chills. During more aggressive attacks, patients may experience the appearance of hard nodules on the feet and other parts of the body. If uric acid crystals settle in the kidneys, gout can lead to renal colic.
If any of these symptoms appear, you should go to the doctor to perform a physical examination or an analysis to corroborate the diagnosis. A patient is considered to have hyperuricemia when they have uric acid values greater than 7 milligrams per deciliter in blood. Other diagnostic tests would be analysis of the synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints, and joint x-rays and ultrasounds.
To reduce the problems linked to pain and inflammation caused by gout, it is essential that patients incorporate changes in their lifestyle, such as reducing the consumption of alcohol and foods rich in uric acid, such as seafood and fatty fish. It is also advisable to increase water intake and control hypertension and obesity levels.
In more severe cases, with high levels of uric acid in the blood, doctors may prescribe pharmacological treatment, with medications such as anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids. If patients have large nodules, patients may resort to surgery to correct chronic inflammation.
