Gout is a condition that Causes pain, inflammation and swelling in one, or more, of the joints. In most cases the initial symptom of an attack is swelling and extreme pain in the big toe, however it can develop in any joint in the body.
Gout tends to occur in ‘attacks’, which usually last for a period of between 3-10 days, after which the joint should feel normal and pain-free again. However, these attacks are almost impossible to predict and, if left untreated, can cause future attacks to be more frequent and last for longer.
Gout is caused by the formation and deposition of monosodium urate crystals; they typically built up in the joints and cause the inflammation and pain typical of attacks.
Urate is a normally harmless waste product which is produced by the body when it breaks down substances known as purines.
Purines are found naturally in the body and also in some foods and certain alcohols, such as beer, stout, and port.
Gout affects approximately one in 200 adults, most commonly men between 30-60 years of age. It very rarely affects women because they tend to have a lower level of urate in their bloodstream. When women do develop the condition, it tends to be after the start of the menopause. In rare cases, young people, children and dogs can also be affected.
Although this is a relatively common condition, there are a number of effective treatments and medicines which can help ease pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent future attacks.