Complaints and symptoms
Symptoms of acute attacks of goutThe first attack of gout usually manifests itself at night as a sudden (highly acute), very painful attack of the joints (arthritis). In the majority of cases, only one joint is affected at first (monarthritis), in 50% of cases it is the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe (so-called podagra). Other joints that are also frequently affected are the metacarpophalangeal joint (Chiragra), as well as the ankle and knee joints. A seizure lasts untreated for several hours to days. The affected joint shows the typical signs of inflammation: This topic might also be of interest to you: Burning pain in the knee
- Pain (Dolor)
- Heat (Calor)
- Redness (Ruby)
- Swelling (tumor)
- And is highly sensitive to movement and touch (functio laesa).
Chronic symptoms of gout
In the course of an untreated gout, more and more joints are affected, and eventually permanent joint changes occur. In addition, symptoms such as fever or chills can occur. Furthermore, the formation of so-called gout tophies can occur.
These are whitish nodules that lie directly under the skin and can break open. They usually occur on the auricle, sometimes also on the hand or foot. Finally, there is the possibility that uric acid crystals are deposited in the kidney, which can lead to acute kidney failure (renal insufficiency).
Course of gout
Normally, a healthy person has a balance between the build-up of uric acid and uric acid excretion via the kidneys. Standard values in the blood: Increased uric acid levels that are above the reference values given do not immediately and not necessarily lead to gout. With the height of the uric acid concentration however the probability of a gout disease increases.
Stages of gout: Even in the early stages, damage to the kidney can occur. The occurrence of kidney stones and urinary tract infections are characteristic of this stage. The last stage is rarely observed today. Patients affected here are usually those who are diagnosed very late or who do not follow a consistent therapy (non-compliance).
- Men: 3.5 and 7.0 mg/dL
- Women: 2.5 and 5.7 mg/dL
- Stage 1: Too much uric acid (hyperuricemia) without signs of disease (symptoms)
- Stage 2: Acute attack of gout
- Stage 3: symptom-free interval between two attacks
- Stage 4: Chronic gout with irreversible joint changes
