Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by the build-up of excess uric acid in the blood. It is the most painful type of arthritis and is characterized by redness, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation of the joints. In most cases the joints in the big toe are affected, but gout can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, elbows and fingers. Causes Gout can be caused due to the following reasons:

• Excess production of uric acid in the body
• Under-elimination of uric acid by the body (could be due to a poorly functioning kidney)
• Food intake containing high levels of purine that are metabolized to uric acid (some meats, fish, and dried beans have high levels of purine).
• Excessive alcohol intake could increase the level of uric acid in the body
• Dehydration
• Excess stress
• High blood pressure

Gout has 4 stages: asymptomatic (without symptoms), acute, intercritical, and chronic. Signs and Symptoms Gout is the most painful of all types of arthritis. It usually develops after many years of uric acid crystals buildup in the joints and surrounding tissues. Gout attacks are sudden with the most common gout symptom being an attack at night where there is an extremely sharp pain in a joint/joints. This is the stage of acute gouty arthritis. The pain is accompanied by redness and swelling of the area. In a maximum number of cases the pain occurs in the joints of the big toe. Gout can also happen to the foot, ankle, heel, knee, wrist, elbow, or finger joints. The attack could last for a few days to a few weeks and then vanish. The next attack could happen within weeks, months, or could even take a few years to re-appear. Treatments Whenever you suffer from any of the symptoms of gout, you must visit your physician immediately to get it diagnosed and treated. The physician will begin gout treatment by conducting a physical examination and check your past medical history. Some tests will be required based on the diagnosis to check for the severity of the ailment. One of the main tests is the joint fluid aspiration test that checks for the presence of uric acid crystals in the joints. A blood and/or urine test could be done to check for uric acid levels in the body. The main aim while treating gout is to reduce the joint pains using anti-inflammatory medication. Medication to reduce the levels of uric acid in the body could be prescribed. Besides the medications, you can help the cause by making suitable changes to your lifestyle. These lifestyle changes could be one or more of the following:

• If you are overweight, get down to the proper weight and maintain it.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• If you consume alcohol in excess, reduce your consumption.
• Exercise in moderation daily.
• During the cold months, always keep your hands and feet well covered and warm. Gout attacks are very common during the cold months.

Never ignore gout symptoms. Ask your physician for information on this and what best you can do to minimize the risk of its recurrence. Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.