Complications
The skin and joints are not the only organs affected by an acute gouty attack. Long-term and untreated hyperuricemia can also lead to the formation of uric acid crystals in other vital organs of the body, such as kidneys, gall bladder, and the liver.
Acute uric acid nephropathy (AUAN) is a condition that may develop in severe gout cases. It can lead to a rapid reduction in renal function and kidney impairment. People with underlying kidney infections or congenital kidney dysfunction are at higher risk.
The symptoms of acute uric acid nephropathy can vary by the degree of kidney impairment, but may include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Decreased urine output
- High blood pressure
- Tissue swelling, mostly in the lower extremities
- Anemia
- Shortness of breath
- “Uremic frost”; a condition in which uric acid excreted in sweat crystallizes on the skin.
Not everyone with an acute gout attack will need urate-lowering therapy. With that being said, if you ignore primary signs and symptoms of gout or fail to take action to prevent attacks, you may end up developing these complications and causing yourself long-term harm.
People with gout, especially with hyperuricemia stage, will sometimes think that the long term absence of symptoms means that the disease-free and their joint condition has spontaneously disappeared. This is usually a fallacy. Unless you control the cause of high uric acid levels, the disease can advance quietly and can lead to irreversible harm. Therefore, you should not ignore the “silent period” of the disease after an acute attack and consult your doctor for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.