Gout and its complications occur more often in men than women and affect primarily those over 40 years of age. Although it is strongly associated with Obesity, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes, and Alcoholism, anyone can be affected. Because of genetic factors, Gout tends to run in some families.

How is Gout Diagnosed?

For most people, the diagnosis of Gout comes as a result of their first painful Gout attack, often to the large joint of the big toe. However, Gout can be diagnosed prior to that using a blood test for Urate.

If you have suffered from your first gout attack, or if you have been suffering from Gout for a few months already, learn more about Gout, its causes, treatment and how to avoid having occassional, painful Gout attacks. Subscribe to our Free Course and newsletter on Gout.

Everyone has Urate in their blood, but a high Uric Acid level is defined as 7 mg/100 mL (or 0.42 mmol/L) for males and 6 mg/100 mL (or 0.36 mmol/L) for females.

The American College of Rheumatology has 11 criteria for a diagnosis of Gout. The presence of 6 or more of this criteria strongly suggests a diagnosis of Gout. The 11 criteria are:

1 ) More than one attack of active Arthritis

2 ) Maximum inflammation develops within 24 hours

3 ) Oligoarthritis attack (inflammation of 2-4 joints)

4 ) Redness of skin observed over joint

5 ) First Metatarsalophalangeal (base of big toe) joint painful and swollen

6 ) Unilateral first Metatarsalophalangeal (base of big toe) joint attack

7 ) Unilateral Tarsal joint attack (big toe on one foot only)

8 ) Tophus (proven or suspected)

9 ) Hyperuricemia

10 ) Asymmetrical swelling of a joint on x-ray

11 ) Complete termination of an attack

A joint fluid test is the definitive test. The doctor will use a needle to draw fluid from the affected joint. He will then examine the fluid under a microscope and look for Urate crystals.

As with any medical condition, you should be under the care of a physician.

If you are taking Colchicine, Allopurinol, Celebrex or any other such drug, try Naturo Gout Care. This is a holistic remedy that works 2 ways: ease your joint pain, and help your body flush out those toxins. And all this without having any side effects.

Can Gout be Misdiagnosed?

Yes. Not only can Gout be misdiagnosed, other medical problems can be misdiagnosed as Gout too. Since Gout is a type of Arthritis, there are several other Arthritis conditions that can be confused with Gout.

Various factors are taken into consideration for defining and differentiating Gout from the other types of Arthritis. A few of them are:

• Sex
• Age at onset
• Long-term Diuretic use
• Insulin resistance
• Diet
• Which Joints are affected
• Duration of the attack
• Severity of the pain during the attack

There are some differences between Primary Gout and Secondary Gout which need to be taken into consideration when diagnosing Gout.

4 Stages of Gout

There are Four Stages of Gout and the symptoms vary in each stage:

1) Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

2) Acute Gout

3) Interval Gout

4) Chronic Tophaceous Gout

Stage 1: Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

This first stage can be detected in blood tests since the Uric Acid level is high. It is called Asymptomatic since you do not have any symptoms.

Gout runs in families. So if you or a close relative has Gout, chances are that other close relatives will also have it.

About 95% of people with Hyperuricemia will remain Asymptomatic throughout their lives. However, "in the other 5%" crystals will be accumulating in their joints.

Stage 2: Acute Gout

This is the stage that catches your attention and helps you decide to see a physician. The acute attack develops completely within 24 hours.

The painful symptoms include intense pain and burning, swelling, redness, and heat in the affected joints. The affected joints can be the foot, knee, thumb or fingers, wrist, or shoulder but most often include one or both big toes.

Fever and chills can also be symptoms. The pain is the worst a patient has ever experienced in many cases. The joint is horribly swollen and hot. The skin over it is red and shiny.

Normally attacks last 4 – 10 days. After about a week, the swelling and inflammation begin to go down. Eventually the joint returns to its normal or near normal state but the skin is itchy and flaking.

New attacks occur unpredictably and may not manifest for weeks, months or years; however, do not be ignorant or deceived because the disease is progressing.

Treatment and changes in the Diet are essential during and after the acute stage.

Stage 3: Interval or Intercritical Gout

There are few symptoms during Interval Gout. You may have joint stiffness and some swelling or inflammation due to increasing amounts of Uric Acid crystals in them.

Some people never have a second attack. Most, however, have a second attack within a year. The frequency of Gout attacks and number of inflammation sites increase with time.

Joint damage becomes apparent as joints become deformed. Some joints have nearly constant Arthritic pain.

Kidney or bladder stones are fairly common during this stage. Your blood will definitely show increased levels of Uric Acid.

It is very important to learn how to live with your Gout by changing your diet to less protein and less alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising safely during this stage.

Stage 4: Chronic Tophaceous Gout

By stage 4, many joints and the kidneys are seriously and permanently damaged.

At this stage, you will notice irregular nodules around the fingers, hands and at the base of most toes. These nodules are nothing but large Urate crystal deposits and are typically called Tophi.

Tophi may also be deposited around the upper surfaces of the hands, and even on the Achilles tendons. Some people may have Tophi on their forearms, ears or any other joints. Needless to say, wherever Tophi develop, the joints get deformed.

Tophi themselves may or may not be painful, but the body has a reaction to them that produces inflammation and swelling. Affected joints have nearly constant Arthritic or inflammatory symptoms, making them too painful to use.

High blood pressure becomes difficult to control. Urate crystals collect in the urinary tract of those with Gout, causing infection and kidney and bladder stones. Kidney failure becomes a very real possibility. At this point, your general health is in grave danger!

There may be too much pain and swelling to use one or both hands or to walk normally.

Complications of Gout

Complications from Gout include the deposit of Tophi in the joints and urinary tract, high blood pressure, and kidney stones. See stages 3 and 4 above. Tophi deforms any joint where they are deposited. They also cause swelling and inflammation which creates a painful situation.

Tophi can be deposited anywhere in the urinary tract causing kidney stones, bladder stones, blockages, and decreased kidney function.

The end result can be kidney failure and the need for Dialysis. Less functionality of the kidney leads to high blood pressure which is difficult to control. High blood pressure then leads to other complex medical problems.

These are all extreme cases and complications of Gout. You can prevent these, if you take adequate measures from the very beginning. Subscribe to our Free Course and Newsletter on Gout and get effective tips on Gout diet, preventive measures etc.