Once referred to as the "disease of kings," the study of gout dates back to the days of Hippocrates. Gout is one of the most intense, painful and disabling forms of arthritis, affecting men more than women. It is caused by an overload of uric acid in the blood stream. There are a number of medical symptoms that are associated with this condition.
Inflammation
One of the most common symptoms of this condition is an inflammation of the joints. Gout usually affects one joint at a time, and primarily targets the large joint of the big toe. It also targets the ankle, knee and wrist joints. This inflammation causes localized swelling and pain around the affected joint. The skin above the affected joint area turns red and shiny. The area is also warm to the touch.
Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia is a condition characterized by sustained, elevated levels of uric acid in the patient's bloodstream. Uric acid is a natural by-product of the metabolism (breakdown) of proteins in the body. Hyperuricemia occurs because of the body's increased production of uric acid, the kidney's decreased elimination of uric acid from the body, or a combination of both mechanisms. A measure of the uric acid blood levels is a common diagnostic test for establishing whether a patient is suffering from gout.
Uric Acid Deposits
As a result of the high concentrations of uric acid on the bloodstream, needle-like crystals begin to form in the area around the affected joint. As these uric acid crystals accumulate, they are deposited in the joint fluid (synovial fluid), and along the joint lining (synovial lining). The immune system responds and floods the affected area with white blood cells and triggers a protective inflammatory reaction that causes the pain, swelling, redness and warmth associated with gout.
Tenderness and Stiffness
The swelling that results from the inflammation of the affected joint causes the skin to become tight, and a painful tenderness develops in the area. This tenderness can become so intense that the lightest touch can causes an intense pain--even a bed sheet touching the skin at the affected area is unbearable. Gout is also characterized by a painful stiffness of the affected joint, which is another effect of the uric acid deposits in the joint area.
Tophi
Hard, crystallized deposits called "tophi" develop in the tendons, cartilage and soft tissues in the body. These uric acid deposits often form hard, visible lumps under the skin of the person suffering from gout. They commonly form around the joints of the fingers, around the big toe and at the elbows. They may also form on the outer side of the ear lobe. The tophi may sometimes rupture, oozing out a yellowish chalky substance.
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