gout
Sign in to saveGout ( ), also called rheumatic gout, is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of pain in a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint, caused by the deposition of needle-shaped crystals of the monosodium salt of uric acid. Pain typically comes on rapidly, reaching maximal intensity in less than 12 hours. In about half of cases, the joint at the base of the big toe is affected (Podagra). It may also result in tophi, kidney stones, or kidney damage.
AI overview
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain in joints when needle-shaped crystals made from uric acid build up inside them, with the big toe being the most commonly affected area. The condition matters because it can cause significant pain and potentially lead to serious complications like kidney stones or kidney damage if left untreated.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Medical condition.name
- Gout
- Medical condition.image
- Gout Signs and Symptoms.jpg
- Medical condition.image_thumbtime
- 94
- Medical condition.alt
- A medical illustration showing the joint of the big toe being affected by gout
- Medical condition.caption
- Medical illustration of the big toe joint affected by gout
- Medical condition.synonyms
- Arthritis uratica, Podagra when of the foot, rheumatic gout
- Medical condition.field
- Rheumatology
- Medical condition.symptoms
- Joint pain, swelling, and redness
- Medical condition.onset
- Older men, postmenopausal women
- Medical condition.causes
- Uric acid
- Medical condition.risks
- Diet high in meat or beer, being overweight, genetics
Article
26 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Cause
- Lifestyle
- Genetics
- Medical conditions
- Medication
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis
- Synovial fluid
- Blood tests
- Differential diagnosis
- Prevention
- Medications
- Treatment
- NSAIDs
- Colchicine
- Glucocorticoids
- Others
- Prognosis
- Epidemiology
- History
- Other animals
- Research
- See also
- References
- External links
Gout ( ), also called rheumatic gout, is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by recurrent attacks of pain in a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint, caused by the deposition of needle-shaped crystals of the monosodium salt of uric acid. Pain typically comes on rapidly, reaching maximal intensity in less than 12 hours. In about half of cases, the joint at the base of the big toe is affected (Podagra). It may also result in tophi, kidney stones, or kidney damage.
Gout is due to persistently elevated levels of uric acid (urate) in the blood (hyperuricemia). This occurs from a combination of diet, other health problems, and genetic factors. At high levels, uric acid crystallizes and the crystals deposit in joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues, resulting in an attack of gout. Gout occurs more commonly in those who regularly drink beer or sugar-sweetened beverages; eat foods that are high in purines such as liver, shellfish, or anchovies; or are overweight. Diagnosis of gout may be confirmed by the presence of crystals in the joint fluid or in a deposit outside the joint. Blood uric acid levels may be normal during an attack.