Limited Range of Motion

As the disease progresses and becomes chronic, sufferers may experience decreased joint mobility. During its chronic stage, gout may affect many joints simultaneously, including the feet, knees and hands.

General Signs of Illness

People suffering from attacks of gout may develop chills and a mild fever (below 100.4), loss of appetite or general malaise (a general feeling of being unwell).

Get Treated

Because the pain of a gout attack typically subsides within a day, it may be tempting to assume that there was an injury. If you experience the onset of sudden, intense joint pain, call your doctor to determine if you are suffering from gout. It’s important to note that even though the attack has subsided, the urate crystals are still present, and a future attack is more likely to occur without medical attention. Left untreated, this disease can lead to worsened pain and joint damage. And without proper treatment, gout can lead to complications and chronic conditions, including:

●     Recurrent gout: For some, an attack of gout is a one-time occurrence, and the condition never returns. For others, the attacks may return several times a year and get progressively worse. If ignored, gout can erode and cause destruction to the affected joint or joints.

●     Advanced gout: Left untreated, deposits of urate crystals begin to form under the skin in nodules. These nodules will often develop in the extremities, like hands, feet or elbows. The nodules themselves aren’t typically painful but can become swollen and cause discomfort during gout attacks.

●     Kidney stones: These same crystals that collect under the skin can begin to form and collect in the urinary tract, leading to the formation of kidney stones. Patients who develop chronic forms of gout can talk to their doctors about taking medications to reduce the risk of kidney stones, which are incredibly painful to pass once formed.