- Sudden, severe pain affecting a single joint, indicating the intensity of the inflammation.
- Warmth, swelling and extreme tenderness of the big toe, this is known as Podagra.
- Red, shiny skin over the affected joint.
Classification of Gout:
Gout, can advance into four stages:
Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: In this stage, a patient has high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia), but no other symptoms of Gout.
Acute Gout or Acute Gouty Arthritis: In this stage, crystals of uric acid get deposited in joint spaces leading to sudden onset of intense pain and swelling in the joints. Warmth and tenderness may also be present. An acute attack usually occurs at night and can be aggravated by stressful events. Attacks usually subside within 3 to 10 days.
Interval or Intercritical Gout: This is the period between acute attacks. In this stage, a person does not have any symptoms of Gout.
Chronic Tophaceous Gout: It is the most disabling type of gout. In this stage, progressive crippling and destruction of cartilages and bones may be possible. Also there could be damage to the kidneys. However, this stage may not occur if the symptoms of Gout are well managed in the early stages.
