What is Gout?

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Gout is a condition which results from an excessive level of uric acid in the circulation.

Read article about Gout published in 'the london paper'

A high level of uric acid may lead to it precipitating as microscopic, needle-like crystals in joint areas. These crystals may incite a significant inflammatory reaction called acute gouty arthritis. Acute attacks may last a few days to a few weeks and usually there are long periods between attacks.

Mostly, one joint becomes painful, red, hot, and swollen (inflamed) over a very short time. Very often the first joint to be affected is the big toe, just like the popular image of the person with gout, but in up to a third of people the attack starts elsewhere.

Sometimes more than one joint or soft tissues (muscles, tendons, tissues below the skin) may be affected by inflammation and sometimes hard, yellowish lumps are visible close beneath the skin (tophi).

Crystals may cause troubles elsewhere, sometimes leading to stones in the kidneys. Your doctor will be able to tell a lot from the speaking to and examining you. You may well also have a blood or joint fluid sample taken to test the uric acid level or to inspect the crystals under a microscope.

Uric acid is a natural substance, produced by the body as a by-product of the breakdown of old body cells, and from foods we eat. Most of it leaves the body via the kidneys, in the urine.

People get gout because there is something wrong with the chemical processes of their body. This defect is often inherited from a parent or grandparent and can run in families. Some people have a problem with overproduction of uric acid, whereas the majority of sufferers have a problem with uric acid expulsion.

Either way, a build up of uric acid often leads to gout.

Gout can be a sign of other problems in the body (eg kidney disease) so it is always advisable to get things checked out by your doctor to ascertain the nature and cause of your attacks.

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