The main symptoms of gout are sudden, severe pain, redness, swelling, and heat in the joint, most commonly in the big toe joint. Prompt medical attention and adjustments to diet and lifestyle are necessary. Treatment includes medication, dietary management, and moderate exercise.
1. Joint pain: The most typical symptom of gout is sudden, severe joint pain, usually occurring at night or in the early morning, which can be unbearable. The big toe joint is the most commonly affected site, but it can also affect joints in the ankle, knee, wrist, and fingers. The pain usually lasts from several hours to several days, and then gradually subsides.
2. Redness, swelling, and heat: The affected joint will show obvious redness, swelling, and heat, and the skin may become tight and shiny. This is due to the deposition of urate crystals in the joint, triggering an inflammatory response. Redness, swelling, and heat usually appear within hours of the onset of pain and may be accompanied by an increase in local temperature.
3. Limited joint mobility: Due to pain and inflammation, the range of motion of the affected joint will be limited, making it difficult for patients to walk or perform daily activities. Joint stiffness and limited mobility may persist for days to weeks after the pain subsides.
4. Tophi: Long-term uncontrolled gout can lead to the deposition of urate crystals under the skin, forming tophi. Tophi are commonly found on the auricle, fingers, toes, and elbows, appearing as subcutaneous nodules that may cause local pain and skin ulcers.
5. Kidney damage: Long-term elevated urate levels in gout patients can lead to kidney damage, manifesting as kidney stones, renal insufficiency, and other symptoms. Kidney damage may not have obvious symptoms, but it can be detected through urine tests and kidney function assessments.
Treatment for gout includes medication, dietary management, and moderate exercise. Medication includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and colchicine, and uric acid-lowering drugs such as allopurinol. Dietary management should avoid high-purine foods such as organ meats and seafood, and increase the intake of low-purine foods such as vegetables and fruits. Moderate exercise helps control weight and improve joint function, but strenuous exercise should be avoided.
Gout is a chronic disease that requires long-term management and control. Timely medical attention, appropriate medication, and a healthy lifestyle can effectively alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.