Gout is a type of arthritis and is a very serious condition that can cause a person to experience a lot of pain and discomfort. While gout is a form of arthritis, it has some unique features that make it different from other types of arthritis.
Men are more likely to be diagnosed with gout than women. It seems that the primary cause of gout is diet. Gout is the result of uric acids collecting around the joints. This can cause a person to experience an extreme amount of pain and discomfort. High levels of uric acid are referred to as hyperuricemia. However, not everyone who has a high uric acid level will develop gout.
Typically, a person who has gout will experience symptoms in waves. These are referred to as gout attacks and leave a person experiencing very severe symptoms for short amounts of time.
Here are 21 of the most common symptoms of gout.
1. Painful Toes
One of the most notable symptoms of gout is pain in the toes. This pain is often most noticeable in the big toe. This is one symptom that sufferers of gout will know all too well. Since gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid, this build up can lead to pain. When the uric acid settles in the foot area, it can cause a person to have pain in their toes. As the big toe has one of the largest joints in the foot, it is common for the uric acid to settle in this area.
If you are struggling to bend your big toe or if you find yourself limping quite often as you cannot put pressure on your toes, there is a good chance that you have gout. If you develop this symptom, it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor so that you can receive a proper diagnosis.