Gout can affect anyone. It is a common and complex form of arthritis, and is described as causing severe and sudden attacks of swelling, redness, pain and tenderness in the joints. Usually, it starts in the joint of your big toe, but it can happen in any joint.
A gout attack will happen suddenly, and if you start experiencing sudden and severe pain, you should talk to your doctor! You can check out the gout treatment in Brisbane or you can simply talk to a local doctor, depending on where you are from.
Gout symptoms happen suddenly
Gout symptoms
It is important that you are aware of the symptoms of gout, and to know when to see your doctor. The signs and symptoms of gout will happen very suddenly, and they often happen at night. These symptoms can include some of the following:
- Intense pain of your joints. Usually, gout will affect the joint in your big toe, and it will happen very suddenly. Other joints that are also commonly affected are elbows, wrists, knees, fingers, and ankles. The pain will be severe and last from four to 12 hours.
- Lingering discomfort. As the severe pain subsides, you will be left with a lot of discomfort hat can last from just a couple of days, to weeks. Attacks that come after the first one will be a lot more painful and will last longer.
- Redness and inflammation. The joints that are affected will be swollen, tender and red.
- Range of motion will be limited. You can also experience limited range of motion, as your gout progresses, or not the same kind of motion in the joints as before.
What are the risk factors?
People, who have high levels of uric acid in their body, are more likely to develop gout. This also means that if you experience factors that increase the uric acid levels in your body, will make you more prone to developing gout.
For example, your diet; eating a diet that is rich in seafood and meat, and drinking beverages that have a lot of sugar, can increase levels of uric acid. This also counts for high intakes of beer, and other alcohol consumptions. Obesity, age, sex, a family history of gout, certain medications, and other factors could also influence gout.
Gout causes a lot of pain
The treatment
When it comes to the treatment, with a proper medical plan and lifestyle changes, gout can be managed. However, you need to have an open discussion with your doctor about your symptoms, as in some cases you might also have another condition on top of gout, such as scleroderma. In that case, you can check out scleroderma medications in Brisbane from arthritisCARE or visit a local doctor.
Final word
The first thing you should do if you start experiencing pain in your joints, is to visit your doctor. Especially if the pain happen suddenly, and last long. Talk to your doctor, discuss different treatments, and make sure to follow doctor’s orders!
