Gout is a very common form of arthritis or inflammation of a joint. Although it can affect any joint, it most commonly affects the big toe joint. The cause of gout is related to a build up of uric acid in the blood which eventually deposits as crystals in the joints. An acute inflammation around these crystals causes the pain.

The symptoms of gout usually begin quickly, within 12-24 hours, in which there is usually pain and swelling in the joint and the skin becomes glossy in appearance. The first attack of gout usually resides within a week but the attacks may become more frequent and painful over time. Without treatment, gout can progress to other joints and chronic joint damage may occur.

A predisposition for gout includes:

• Obesity
• Excess alcohol consumption
• High intake of food that contain purines which are broken down into uric acid in the body. These foods include red meat, particularly liver and kidney, shellfish and legumes.
• People with kidney disease may develop high levels of uric acid as the kidney can no longer adequately filter the blood.

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