| Gout attacks affect an estimated two million people in | | | | These symptoms generally occur during the night and |
| the United States alone. At least 75- 90% of the | | | | is particular unexpected. The most common area |
| victims are men and the remainder is women who are | | | | affected is the big toe. However, gout attacks have |
| post-menopausal or hypertensive. Many of these | | | | been known to also attack other joints such as the |
| individuals live unhealthy life- styles and are not | | | | finger, ankle, elbow, knee, or foot. The condition is |
| prepared for the sudden attacks of gout. The sudden | | | | caused by a buildup of uric acid that has lodged in |
| attacks of gout arthritis are extremely painful and | | | | these joints. More so, the kidney no longer has the |
| affect a singular joint, tendon or other bodily tissue. | | | | ability to flush away this excess uric acid. The disease |
| Gout is the oldest form of inflammatory arthritis; closely | | | | may develop in men or women with: |
| related to rheumatic arthritis. The medical condition | | | | 1. Diabetes |
| initially and predominately affects the joints and must | | | | 2. Kidney Disease |
| be treated accordingly. 'Gouty arthritis' is potentially | | | | 3. Obesity |
| damaging if left untreated. Chronic gout damages | | | | 4. Sickle Cell Anemia |
| major tissues and/or organs, yet it is unlike most types | | | | Gout arthritis occurs in 4 stages: |
| of arthritis which are innately chronic. | | | | Asymptomatic: There are no symptoms |
| Generally, gout arthritis is characterized by painful | | | | Specifically, an illness/condition is present with |
| sudden attacks that last days to weeks proceeded by | | | | symptoms or the individual has recovered from the |
| long periods with no symptoms. The 'gouty arthritis' | | | | illness/condition and no longer has symptoms. It also |
| may be acute or chronic. The best way to control the | | | | indicates that the person is actually healthy. Lastly, the |
| onset or progression of gout is to avoid things that | | | | particular illness/condition does not produce any |
| may trigger these symptoms. | | | | symptoms. |
| During a gout attack, the victims suffer with several | | | | Acute: Sudden pain attack in the joints |
| vital symptoms. Such symptoms include: | | | | The pain occurs especially in the feet and legs. This is |
| 1. sharp pain | | | | a result of uric acid buildup or hyperuricemia. |
| 2. redness | | | | Intercritical: Requiring immediate/reoccurring treatment |
| 3. swelling | | | | Condition is progressing quickly. The condition is on the |
| 4. warmth | | | | way to critical or chronic gout/ permanent damage. |
| 5. tenderness | | | | Chronic: Long- lasting or persisting condition |
| 6. tightness | | | | Chronic gout arthritis suggests repeated episodes of |
| 7. skin lump | | | | gout attacks or joint pain. |