When a patient has gout, they will most likely be very uncomfortable, and possibly be limping as they approach. Gout used to be known as the rich man’s disease, since it was presumed gout is often caused by red wine and expensive cuts of meat. We now know that gout can affect any number of people. What is Gout? Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in some people who have high levels of uric acid in the blood. The acid can form needle-like crystals in a joint and cause sudden, severe episodes of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling. Related: History of Nursing in the United States What Are The Different Types of Gout? There are several stages of gout: Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is the period prior to the first gout attack. There are no symptoms, but blood uric acid levels are high and crystals are forming in the joint. Acute gout, or a gout attack, happens when something (such as a night of drinking) causes uric acid levels ...
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