The problem with gout is that in most of the cases it is a misunderstood disease. Gout is caused by the increase of the uric acid crystals in the joints or in the surrounding tissues. Gout develops various symptoms that usually involve pain. These symptoms may include warmth, swelling and extreme sensitivity of the affected joints. In more than 50 % of the cases big toe joint affection is seen in gout patients. This is the most common problem when it comes to gout.

As we mentioned before gout is caused by the increasing levels of uric acid in the fluids of human body. The uric acid crystals are deposited in joints, tendons and kidneys and may cause serious damage and severe pain.

There are known two types of gout, primary and secondary. The first category includes more than 90 % of the gout sufferers. When uric acid is elevated in response to some other health problem such as kidney disease we can say that it is a case of secondary gout.

Responsible for gout development might be an impropriate diet or high alcohol intake. Gout can also occur after a surgical intervention or after a severe illness. Joint injury might also be a cause of gout development. Specialists also noticed that medicines like aspirin and diuretics can lead to gout attacks because they stop in one way or another the excretion of uric acid from the body.

The first phase of gout means an episode that happens at night. People often feel the symptoms during the night and caused pain to the affected joints. In some cases the attack follows a day of excess in alcohol, food or drugs. After progress the attack develops fever and chills along with pain. In more than 90 % of the cases these episodes are recurrent and might develop during the first year. Even if it is certitude that chronic gout cases are rare we have to mention that there is a risk of developing kidney dysfunctions and kidney stones.

The most commonly medicines used are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) and colchicine. Both treatments help ease the pain and have an anti-inflammatory effect. The difference between these two possible ways of treatment is that colchicine may develop unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.

In order to prevent gout attacks specialists recommend a healthy diet low in purine. Alcohol should be avoided because it has a major influence in initiating attacks. If symptoms are noticed it is recommended to seek for professional help.

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