Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis. It is the body's reaction to irritating crystal deposits in the joints. In Chronic gout the patient may feel tiny, hard lumps accumulating over time in the soft flesh of areas such as the hands, elbows, feet, or earlobes. These deposits, called tophi, are concentrations of uric acid crystals causing pain and stiffness over time.
Gout can also affect the foot, knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, hands, or nearly any joint in the body.

Causes –

An excess of uric acid in the blood brings gout. Any extra uric acid usually filters through the kidneys and gets passed in urine. If the body produces too much uric acid or fails to excrete it in the urine, crystals of monosodium urate form in the joints and tendons. These crystals cause intense inflammation leading to pain swelling and redness. The most common factor increasing the chance of gout is excess consumption of alcohol.

Symptoms –

1. Severe and sudden pain in a joint- symptoms and signs usually affect a single joint. The pain is typically severe, reflecting the severity of inflammation in the joint. The affected joint is often very sensitive to touch.
2. Tenderness in the joint.
3. Stiffness in the joint

Diagnosis –

The diagnoseof gout is done by demonstrating uric acid crystals in joint fluid that has been removed from an inflamed joint. The fluid is then examined under a microscope to determine if uric acid crystals are present.