Gout is caused by elevated uric acid levels in the blood, called hyperuricemia up to two-thirds of individuals with hyperuricemia never develop symptoms. Treatments are now available to control most cases of gout, but diagnosing this disorder can be difficult and treatment plans often have to be tailored for each person. Rarely, uric acid crystals collect in the kidney itself causing inflammation and scar tissue, which can reduce kidney function.

Uric acid crystals can collect in the urinary tract and form a stone. People with gout are at increased risk of developing kidney stones. Tophaceous gout was more common in the past, when treatment for hyperuricemia was unavailable. However, they can become inflamed and cause symptoms like those of an acute gouty attack. The presence of tophi near the knuckles or small joints of the fingers can be a distressing cosmetic problem. The tophus causes resorption and erosion of the bone, and can potentially cause deformity.

This collection of crystals causes a nodule or tophus to form. This causes large numbers of uric acid crystals to collect in joints, bones, and cartilage. People who have repeated attacks of gout over many years can develop tophaceous gout. Other people however experience gradually progressive attacks, which can lead to joint damage. Some people have only one attack, and never experience another. Other joints commonly involved include the ankles, knees, and less commonly the hands and elbows. The initial attack generally resolves over about a week and then disappears completely, even if untreated.Īlthough an attack typically affects a single joint most often in the cooler regions of the body, like the big toe for example, some people develop a few inflamed joints at the same time. The initial attack may begin in the middle of the night with extreme pain and inflammation reaching its peak within 12 hours. Gout attacks cause a sudden onset severe joint pain that is often accompanied by other signs and symptoms of inflammation including redness, swelling, and tenderness of the joint. Gout is a painful, progressive and potentially debilitating form of arthritis that has been recognized since ancient times. Fortunately, it is possible to treat gout and reduce its agonizing attacks by avoiding food triggers and taking advantage of the medication options available today. But the fact is that anyone can be affected by gout and the risk factors are varied. For centuries Gout has been inaccurately portrayed as the 'disease of kings,' because gout has long been associated with the kind of overindulgence in food and wine that only the rich and powerful could afford.

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