Gout attacks are caused by deposits of crystallized uric acid in the joint. Uric acid is present in the blood and eliminated in the urine, but in people who have gout, uric acid accumulates and crystallizes in the joints. Uric acid is the result of the breakdown of purines, chemicals found naturally in our bodies and in food. Some people develop gout because their kidneys have difficulty eliminating normal amounts of uric acid, while others produce too much uric acid.
Gout occurs most commonly in the big toe because uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes. At cooler temperatures, uric acid turns into crystals. Since the toe is the part of the body that is farthest from the heart, it is also the coolest part of the body and, thus, the most likely target of gout. However, gout can affect any joint in the body.
The tendency to accumulate uric acid is often inherited. Other factors that put a person at risk for developing gout include: high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, surgery, chemotherapy, stress and certain medications and vitamins.
While gout is more common in men aged 40 to 60 years, it can occur in younger men as well as in women. Gout flares start suddenly and can last days or weeks. These flares are followed by long periods of remission—weeks, months, or years—without symptoms before another flare begins. Gout usually occurs in only one joint at a time. It is often found in the big toe.
Along with the big toe, joints that are commonly affected are the lesser toe joints, the ankle, and the knee. Top of Page. Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia, where there is too much uric acid in the body.
The body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in your body and the foods you eat. When there is too much uric acid in the body, uric acid crystals monosodium urate can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body. Hyperuricemia does not always cause gout, and hyperuricemia without gout symptoms does not need to be treated. A medical doctor diagnoses gout by assessing your symptoms and the results of your physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests.
Gout can only be diagnosed during a flare when a joint is hot, swollen, and painful and when a lab test finds uric acid crystals in the affected joint.
The disease should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of gout patients. This is important because the signs and symptoms of gout are not specific and can look like signs and symptoms of other inflammatory diseases.
However, the NIH state that some people with high uric acid may never develop gout symptoms, while those with low uric acid may experience gout attacks. Doctors can also perform an X-ray or ultrasound to detect evidence of urate crystals and determine the cause of the inflammation. Gout occurs without warning. Anyone experiencing intense pain on the big toe, followed by warmth, tenderness, redness or discoloration, should immediately seek medical attention. If a person does not receive treatment for gout, it can lead to joint damage over time, including bone erosions and arthritis.
Gout attacks typically begin in the big toe. Gout attacks can be excruciating and people typically need medication to lower the uric acid levels and prevent uric acid buildup and joint damage. Lifestyle and dietary changes may help prevent future attacks. What is gout and how might diet affect symptoms? Learn about foods to avoid and those that can help manage gout.
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What to know about gout in the big toe. Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M. Symptoms Treatment Causes and risk factors Diet and gout Complications Prevention Diagnosis Seeing a doctor Summary Gout is a form of arthritis that causes swelling, tenderness, and extreme pain.
Symptoms of gout in the big toe. Share on Pinterest People with gout in the big toe may notice swelling and discoloration around the base of their toe. Image credit: www. Causes and risk factors.
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