Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals are deposited form inside and around the joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling.

Gout can be extremely painful and debilitating, but treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms and prevent further attacks.

Signs and symptoms of gout

Any joint can be affected by gout, but it usually affects jointstowards the ends of the limbs, such as the toes, ankles, knees and fingers.

Signs and symptoms of gout include:

• severe pain inone or morejoints
• the joint feeling hot and very tender
• swelling in and around the affected joint
• red, shiny skin over the affected joint

Symptoms develop rapidlyover a few hours and typically lastthree to 10 days. After this time the pain should pass and the jointshould return to normal.

Almost everyone with gout will experience further attacks at some point, usually within a year.

If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys don't filter enough out, it can build up and cause tiny sharp crystals to form in and around joints. These crystals can cause the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen) and painful.

Things that may increase your chances of getting gout include:

• obesity , high blood pressure and/or diabetes
• having a close relative with gout
• kidney problems
• eating foods that causea build-up of uric acid, such as red meat, offal and seafood
• drinking too much beeror spirits

However, lifelong treatment is usually required.

It's a form of arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling in one or more of your joints - commonly the knee or wrist.