Gout is a medical condition brought on by an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood.
Uric acid is the by-product of the breakdown of purine in the body. Therefore, a diet high in purine-rich foods is one of the risk factors for gout. Possible symptoms include intense pain accompanied by redness, swelling, and warmth -- it commonly affects the big toe, but can affect other joints.
In order to diagnose gout, your healthcare provider will need information on what symptoms you have been experiencing, how often they occur, and whether certain foods or activities trigger an apparent gout attack. In addition, people with a family history of this condition are more likely to develop gout themselves, as are men who are overweight.
Treatment consists of two parts. The first goal is aimed at relieving the symptoms of a gout attack; the second goal is to prevent future attacks from occurring. Treatment can involve a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications.
(For more information on this condition, click Gout. This article includes details on additional symptoms, how it is diagnosed, specific treatment options, and more.)
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