Complications of gout are dangerous and need to be watched out for

Gout is a common form of arthritis in adults. This disease not only causes painful gout symptoms, but can also lead to complications that are dangerous to the body if not treated promptly. So, what are the complications due to gout?

Various complications of gout

Gout occurs due to uric acid levels (uric AC ID) which is too high in the body. This condition causes the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, causing symptoms that interfere with the sufferer's activity.

Levels uric acid needs to be controlled by avoiding various uric acid restrictions and taking uric acid medications given by a doctor. Don't forget to routinely check uric acid to help control levels uric acid the. If uncontrolled, symptoms will recur and complications due to high uric acid can occur.

Here are some of the complications that can occur if your gout is not treated promptly:

1. Tophi as a complication of gout

Tophi are collections of urate crystals that accumulate under the surface of the skin and form lumps or bumps. This lump is generally small, hard, and sometimes there is a white part which is a pile of these urate crystals.

Tophi lumps usually appear around the hands, feet, wrists and feet, fingers, knees, and ears. These bumps are generally painless, but they can interfere with your daily activities. Sometimes, the tophi becomes inflamed, breaks down, and oozes a discharge like pus.

Tophi generally occurs when you have chronic gout or gout that is long lasting and not well controlled. Reporting from Creaky Joints, this condition occurs in one third of people who suffer from gout.

If left untreated, tophi can continue to enlarge, then erode the joints and the skin and surrounding tissue, causing damage to the joints. In fact, not infrequently, tophi needs to be removed with a surgical procedure when it is too large or becomes infected.

2. Joint deformities

As uric acid develops, you may notice changes in the shape of the joints. This complication due to gout is also called joint deformity.

Joint deformities can occur due to chronic inflammation that causes continuous gout attacks and the formation of tophi around the joints. Over time, this condition can lead to permanent joint damage, deformity, and stiffness in the joints.

In severe conditions, joint deformities may require surgical procedures to repair or replace joints that have been damaged.

3. Kidney stones as a complication of gout

Kidney stones are one of the most common complications of high uric acid. This condition occurs in one in five people with gout.

This complication occurs when urate crystals form in the urinary tract, which then accumulate and form kidney stones. In this condition, you will feel unusual symptoms, such as pain in the side, back and bottom of the ribs, urine containing blood, and so on.

4. Kidney disease and kidney failure

Kidney stones made of urate crystals can build up in the kidneys, which in turn causes kidney damage and scar formation. Over time, this kidney damage will lead to kidney disease, especially if your uric acid levels are not controlled.

When it gets worse, your kidneys don't function properly, causing kidney failure.

Kidney disease and gout are closely related. Not only as a complication, chronic kidney disease can also be one of the causes of high uric acid. This is because the damaged kidneys are unable to remove various waste products, including uric acid, through the urine from the body, and this results in a buildup of uric acid in the body.

5. Heart disease

A person with gout generally has heart problems. The reason is, gout can cause inflammation of the joints and other parts of the body. Inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease.

Therefore, in addition to consuming food for gout, sufferers of this disease also need to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle to improve heart health. Your doctor may also recommend that you undergo regular heart screening to detect any complications of uric acid that are dangerous to your body.

6. Sleep disturbance as a complication of gout

Gout attacks often occur at night or early morning when you fall asleep. This condition certainly makes you wake up and it is difficult to go back to sleep and get a good night's sleep.

Lack of sleep can cause stress, mood swings, fatigue, or even other health problems. In addition, your daily life the next day will be disrupted. Consult with your doctor to solve the problem if you experience it.

7. Mental health

Having chronic gout can interfere with your activities. You will experience repeated attacks of gout which will generally affect your ability to walk, work, travel, and complete daily tasks.

This condition can sometimes make you stressed, anxious, and depressed, which can have an impact on your psychological and emotional health. If you experience it, you should consult your doctor to solve the problem.