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Gout is a fairly common medical condition that sends almost 4 million people to the doctor’s office every year. If you are overweight, drink alcohol, or are under treatment for high blood pressure, you are at risk for gout. You may have heard of this rather mysterious medical condition - you may have even heard it referred to as "the disease of kings" - but what exactly is it? And how can you be sure that it never happens to you?
What Is Gout?
Gout occurs when uric acid crystals develop as a by-product of the metabolism of certain proteins (called “purines”) consumed in our diet. These crystals attack and set up shop in our joints. That doesn’t sound comfortable, does it? Well, it certainly isn’t. Patients with an acute gout attack often describe their experience as:
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Sudden onset of pain in one joint (it's possible for gout to occur in more than one joint at a time, but that's less likely)
The joint is described as “hot” or “burning”
Pain is severe in intensity
There's redness and swelling at the site
The joint may be warm to the touch
The attack is not precipitated by any trauma
Basically, gout is a very severe joint pain that seems to just come out of nowhere. The first episode of gout most often happens in the big toe; future attacks may affect other joints, but are much more common in the lower extremities (feet, ankles, toes, or knees).