Health Conditions

What are the symptoms?

Depending on the symptoms, gout is divided into four different stages:

1. Asymptomatic: This is the first stage of gout in which uric acid levels in the blood are abnormally high. However, individuals usually do not have symptoms during this stage. This stage is like the "quiet before the storm."

2. Acute gouty arthritis: In this stage, individuals experience a sudden onset of symptoms. At first, only one joint is affected (usually the big toe). Later, other joints may become involved, most commonly the ankles, knees, hands, wrists and elbows. Symptoms of this phase may include:
   • Sudden, severe, crushing pain around the affected joints
   • Swelling of the joint
   • Redness around the joint
   • Low-grade fever
   • Loss of appetite

3. Intercritical gout: The period in between attacks is called intercritical gout. Most individuals who experience a gout attack experience it again within 1 year of the first attack, especially if untreated. Patients usually do not have any symptoms during this phase.

4. Chronic tophaceous (pronounced: ?toe-fay-she-us?)gout: Sometimes gout can progress into a chronic condition. Symptoms of chronic gout include:
   • More frequent gout attacks (although these are often less intense than the first attack)
   • Constant mild pain and inflammation of involved joints
   • Destruction of cartilage and bone
   • Development of "tophi,"(pronounced: ?toe-fy?) --solid deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints, tendons, soft tissues, bones, and cartilage, especially on the ears, fingers, hands, forearms, knees, and elbow
   • Kidney dysfunction
   • Kidney stones