Gout is a metabolic form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. The long-term effects of gout without treatment are extreme joint pain and the development of other disorders that may lead to death.

Risk

Gout sufferers have a higher risk for heart disease, renal disease, liver disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Permanent Joint Damage

Untreated gout can lead to repeated attacks on the joints. This can permanently damage cartilage and bone and lead to chronic arthritis.

Complications

Approximately 20 percent of gout sufferers also develop kidney stones.

Features

Untreated gout leads to hard deposits of crystalline uric acid in the joints, also known as urate crystals or tophi. Reducing uric acid levels can help shrink tophi, while larger deposits may require surgery to remove.

Significance

Urate crystals can also be deposited in other parts of the body in addition to joints. Deposits may develop in the kidneys and other internal organs, or they may appear as lumps under the skin on fingers, toes and ears.

Prevention/Solution

Gout may be treated through dietary and lifestyle changes, often coupled with medications such as allopurinol. Gout patients should follow a low-protein diet recommended by a physician and increase their water intake. Lowering uric acid levels can significantly increase your lifespan.

Source:

Gout-Aware.com: Gout Diseases and Dangers and Metabolic Syndrome

BeatingGout.com: Dangers of Gout

ARC.org: Gout

More Information:

SeekWellness.com: gout symptoms, causes, diagnosis, foods that cause gout and treatments