This evening, Julie told me she has some discomfort in her feet. After a brief talk I suspected she has the early symptoms of gout. I therefore check into the internet Wikipedia for more information relating to gout. The more I read on the gout information I think I should book an appointment with our family doctor tomorrow in the evening and have a thorough medical checkup.
So, what is gout?
Gout is a disease created by the accumulation of uric acid. In the gout condition, crystals of uric acid (monosodium urate) are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. causing inflammation and pain. When both conditions are severe and if untreated, the crystals form tophi, which can cause severe tissue damage. Gout results from a combination of elevated concentrations of uric acid and overall acidity in the bloodstream. In isolation, neither elevated uric acid (hyperuricemia) nor acidity is normally sufficient to cause gout.
Gout is characterized by excruciating, unexpected, burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, hot, and stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs commonly in men in their toes but can appear in other parts of the body and affects women as well. Low-grade fever may also be present. The patient usually suffers from two sources of pain. The crystals inside the joint cause intense pain whenever the affected area is moved. The inflammation of the tissues around the joint also causes the skin to be swollen, tender and sore if it is even slightly touched. For example, a blanket or even the lightest sheet draping over the affected area could cause extreme pain.
Gout usually attacks the big toe (approximately 75 percent of first attacks); however, it also can affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and spine. In some cases, the condition may appear in the joints of small toes that have become immobile due to impact injury earlier in life, causing poor blood circulation that leads to gout.
So, what is gout?
Gout is a disease created by the accumulation of uric acid. In the gout condition, crystals of uric acid (monosodium urate) are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. causing inflammation and pain. When both conditions are severe and if untreated, the crystals form tophi, which can cause severe tissue damage. Gout results from a combination of elevated concentrations of uric acid and overall acidity in the bloodstream. In isolation, neither elevated uric acid (hyperuricemia) nor acidity is normally sufficient to cause gout.
Gout is characterized by excruciating, unexpected, burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, hot, and stiffness in the affected joint. This occurs commonly in men in their toes but can appear in other parts of the body and affects women as well. Low-grade fever may also be present. The patient usually suffers from two sources of pain. The crystals inside the joint cause intense pain whenever the affected area is moved. The inflammation of the tissues around the joint also causes the skin to be swollen, tender and sore if it is even slightly touched. For example, a blanket or even the lightest sheet draping over the affected area could cause extreme pain.
Gout usually attacks the big toe (approximately 75 percent of first attacks); however, it also can affect other joints such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, and spine. In some cases, the condition may appear in the joints of small toes that have become immobile due to impact injury earlier in life, causing poor blood circulation that leads to gout.
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