Signs of Gout- What are the Most Common Signs of Gout?
Signs of Gout
Over two million Americans face the debilitating signs of gout each year. It can be extremely bothersome to deal with a painful knee or ankle, and even more difficult if the pain affects a big toe. If you have a swollen, red or painful toe, ankle or knee, this may be one of the many signs of gout. Gout can be extremely painful and is brought on by the development of uric crystals within the joint. A person is more susceptible to gout if they have a diet that is high in salt, or if they are overweight and consume large amounts of alcohol. So, how will you be able to tell if you are afflicted with this condition?
What are some signs of gout?
- Perform self-examination and look for reddish skin that may be pulled tight at a joint. The joint most commonly affected is the big toe, with other common areas being the ankles, wrists and knees.
- Be aware of any pain in the joint, and don’t just ignore it and pop a few painkillers. Gout pain will often occur at night, and even wake you from a sound sleep.
- Pain is one of the common signs of gout and if the pain becomes more severe, even after taking painkillers, you should make an appointment with your physician.
- Monitor your temperature. A fever that is not associated with an illness of any sort may be attributed to gout, especially if it is associated with a painful joint.
- Keep tabs on your pulse. If your pulse registers over 100 beats per minute while you are experiencing a painful or inflamed joint, this could signify gout.
- One of the typical signs of gout is fatigue. If you find yourself having less energy than you normally do, this could indicate an attack of gout.
Signs of Gout- Before an Attack
There are certain factors that can precede an attack, and knowing these can warn a person of the possibility of a gout attack.
- Severe dehydration
2. An injury directly to a joint
3. Fever for an extended period
4. Over-eating (certain foods may increase a person’s uric acid level)
5. Excess alcoholic intake
6. Recent surgical procedure
7. Stress or anxiety
Knowing exactly what gout is and learning the signs of gout is important in trying to plan for treatment. The internet is stacked with information on the condition, or you can just speak with your physician about it.