"Where do gout attacks typically occur?"

Symptoms and Manifestations of Gout

The typical symptoms of gout are acute arthritis episodes, commonly manifested as redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the metatarsophalangeal joints of the toes, ankles, knees, and other major toes. Similar conditions can also occur in the first metacarpophalangeal joints, wrist joints, dorsal feet, elbow joints, shoulder joints, and carpal joints of the hands.

Manifestations During the Acute Phase

1. Great Toe: The most common and earliest affected site.
2. Other Joints: Apart from the aforementioned common sites, similar pain phenomena can also be observed in fingers, knees, ankles, and heels.
3. Non-articular Lesions: Some patients may experience subcutaneous tissue inflammation in areas such as auricles, nasal tips, fingertips, interdigital spaces, elbows, knees, and the flexor surfaces of finger and toe joints. In severe cases, tophus may form.

Manifestations During the Chronic Phase

1. Cartilage Damage: Due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in joint capsules, bursae, cartilage, and other tissues, necrosis, fibrosis, or cartilage dissolution occurs, resulting in unusual symmetrical bilateral knee arthritis accompanied by joint deformities.
2. Renal Lesions: Over 90% of patients may experience varying degrees of renal dysfunction, with more than half progressing to chronic renal failure and death.
3. Ocular Lesions: Can cause iridocyclitis, leading to blurred vision, and occasionally secondary glaucoma. Additionally, multiple organ systems can be affected, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Patients experiencing discomfort should seek medical attention promptly and undergo standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician. In daily life, it is advisable to avoid high-purine foods such as animal viscera, seafood, and bean products.