Monday, August 2, 2010

Gout Symptoms And Signs

By David Watson

Let us first try to understand the main gout symptoms i.e. how to recognize it

It is along with severe joint pains

Swelling in the joint

Shiny and red skin near the joint

Fever is main symptom in gout

Tophi are formed. Tophi are white lumps formed beneath the skin which are due to formation of urate crystals

The foremost symptom of gout is red,hot swollen joint

There is a severe pain even a bed sheet can cause pain. Most common joint which is affected by gout is big toe. Sometimes gout can affect other joints like heels, ankles, fingers, wrists, elbows, insteps.

Some of the main causes of gout are

Gout is mainly due to too much of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is waste product from the substances which contain purines. If the levels of the uric acid or urate is too high in the body it forms tiny crystals that are accumulated in tissues and joints. Which is the main cause of swelling and pain.

Diagnosis of gout is difficult because people with high uric acid may or may not have high gout. A needle is inserted by the doctor in the joint and a fluid is examined under a microscope. If the fluid which is examined has crystals in it the then person is suffering from gout. Gout can occur to a person with following conditions

Aged between 30 to 60

Men are high victims of gout, it occurs to women after menopause.

Due to high alcohol consumption

Have a family record of gout

People who are obese

Having high blood pressure

In untreated cases of gout it leads to severe complications like

affecting several other joints

Kidney stones

Kidney damage

How to prevent gout

Avoid eating foods which are rich in purines content like liver, kidney, seafood and vegetables like cauliflower, mushrooms, oatmeal, spinach.

Alcohol should avoided whether it may be wine or beer

Take a well healthy diet and taking part in physical activity to lose extra weight

Drinking lot of water i.e. 6 to 8 glasses on daily basis

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