When the acute onset of gout happens, all you can seem to focus on is the pain you are experiencing. You start your gout treatment, begin a new diet, exercise routine and make lifestyle changes, causing you to get caught up in a whirlwind of just tyring to get through the pain. What you aren’t thinking about, is the complications of gout. Although rare, gout can have serious complications on your health in other areas besides your joints.
One of the major and most common complications of gout is kidney stones. The uric acid crystals filter through the kidneys and can cause stones to form. This is why drinking extra fluids with gout is so important. The uric acid needs to be diluted to filter through the kidneys. More uncommon is advanced heart disease, but it is possible. Also, it can increase the risk of cataracts, dry eyes and rarely, lung disease.
The best way to avoid these major complications, is to seek treatment early on and follow the treatment plan. First line of defense is to drink plenty of water to keep uric acid dilute in the blood. With diligence, this condition can be managed and complications avoided.