Acute gout develops when a person experiences sudden, severe pain in one of their joints, usually the big toe, ankle, or elbow. The pain of acute gout is so intense that even light pressure or contact is very painful, and it can last for a week or longer, disrupting daily activities. Keeping a diary of triggers like alcohol consumption or foods eaten before an attack can help identify causes and allow sufferers to take preventative measures to avoid future acute gout occurrences.
2. When a person has acute gout , they will have sudden pain that develops in one of their joints.
3. This typically in the elbow, the big toe, or the ankle but gout can attack any of the joints in the body.
4. A person can go for long periods of time between gout attacks. Some people go years without any symptoms and then they emerge again.
5. The pain caused by acute gout is so severe that it is very hard to imagine. The slightest bit of pressure or anything on that area of the body can cause someone to cry out.
6. It can be hard to walk if it is affecting the toes, feet, or ankles. It can also be very difficult to sleep due to the high level of pain.
7. Even placing a sheet or blanket over the area to rest is going to be very painful. The fact that this can last for a week or longer means your basic daily activities are going to be interrupted.
8. It may be impossible to go to work, to take care of the kids, or other activities when you have an acute gout attack. Even driving with a gouty foot can be difficult.
9. Some people are able to get some relief from acute gout with over–the-counter pain killers.
10. You do want to be careful though as many people with gout have an allergic reaction to aspirin but they aren’t aware of it.
11. Never use any prescription medication that isn’t given for you directly by your doctor.
12. Try to completely avoid symptoms through proper diet and exercise though before you use gout prescription medications.
13. Medications are expensive and they can also have harsh side effects to contend with. Too many people think that these medications are the only way to get relief from gout but that isn’t true.
14. Many people also think that living with acute gout is something they have to do. Yet there is plenty of information out there that debates that statement.
15. It is important to do what you can to reduce the chances of gout occurring. It is a good idea to keep a diary of when you have an acute gout attack.
16. Document what you were eating, what you drank, what you were doing, how long the attack lasted, the severity of the pain, and the location on the body where it was located.
17. This will allow you to identify some triggers that may be causing the gout attacks.
18. For example some people experience it when they have consumed large amounts of alcohol or they have eaten seafood.
19. Understanding your own triggers will help you to stay healthy and to live a life that is productive. Taking care of acute gout as early as you can is very important.
20. Once you have suffered from it, you will never want to have to go through it again.
21. Studies show that each future outbreak of gout can cause pain that is more severe, and the problem could last longer and longer.
22. It may have lasted for 7 days last time but next time it will last for 10 days. Ongoing acute gout attacks will eventually result in the problem turning into chronic gout.
23. Take action from the start to eliminate the chances of this happening.
