What Happens When Gout Is Left Untreated?

Gout is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints. It is highly treatable, but when left untreated, it can lead to recurrent symptoms and other possible complications.

Recurrent Gout

• Untreated gout may progress to recurrent gout, in which attacks of one or more joints occur several times a year, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Chronic Gouty Arthritis

• Chronic gouty arthritis may lead to joint deformities, loss of motion, and lasting pain in the joints, according to Medline Plus.

Advanced Gout

• In advanced gout, sufferers develop areas in the skin called tophi, which become tender and swollen during a flareup of gout symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Kidney Stones

• The Mayo Clinic reports a buildup of urate crystals, which are sharp, crystalline structures that develop as a result of too much uric acid in the body, can lead to kidney stones in gout sufferers.

Considerations

• Medline Plus reports that half of all people who have had one gout attack will have at least one more. Fortunately, a doctor can prescribe appropriate medications to relieve symptoms and remove excess uric acid (the root cause of the condition) from the blood.