Gout Quiz: What is Gout? Is There a Gout Diet?

Gout is a painful type of arthritis that develops when uric acid builds up in the body, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints. The big toe is a common site affected by gout, but it can also affect other joints including the knees, ankles, heels, or toes. Affected joints are painful, red, swollen, and warm.

Gout occurs more often in adults than in children. It is also more common in men than in women. The disease is particularly common in men between 40 to 50 years of age. Women rarely develop gout prior to menopause.

Uric acid crystals that build up in the joints, causing inflammation, are the cause of the characteristic symptoms of gout. Uric acid deposits can also occur beneath the skin (called tophi), and uric acid can also form kidney stones.

Uric acid is a product formed when substances called purines are broken down. Purines are part of normal human tissues and are contained in many foods. Uric acid is normally carried in the blood stream and excreted in the urine. If the kidneys do not remove enough uric acid from the body, blood levels of uric acid are elevated (known as hyperuricemia). Hyperuricemia can also be caused by eating foods that are particularly rich in purines like liver, anchovies, dried beans, and gravies. Although hyperuricemia is not dangerous for the body, it sometimes leads to the formation of uric acid crystals and the development of gout.

Because alcohol interferes with the body's ability to remove uric acid, people with gout should avoid drinking alcohol. Alcoholic drinks, drugs, an illness, or even a stressful event can trigger an attack of gout. Attacks usually last for 3-10 days. Another attack may not occur for months to years, but many people with gout experience more frequent and longer attacks over time.

Symptoms of gout generally include the following:
- Warmth, pain, swelling, and extreme tenderness in a joint
- Very red or purplish skin around the affected joint, which may appear to be infected
- As the gout attack subsides, the skin around the affected joint may peel and feel itchy

The most common sign of gout is a nighttime attack of swelling, tenderness, redness, and sharp pain in the big toe. Gout attacks also appear in feet, ankles, knees, fingers, heels, and elbows.

As mentioned before, gout is not the only manifestation of excess uric acid in the body. Uric acid can also form kidney stones.

Gout tends to run in families; from 20% to 80% of those affected have a family history of the disease. Diets high in purines, male gender, being overweight, lead exposure, and alcohol consumption are other risk factors.