Gout.
Last updated Wednesday, December 22, 2004
AboutWhat is gout? Gout is a disease that causes sudden, severe episodes of pain and
tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling (inflammation) in some joints.
Gout is a dramatic example of a type of arthritis called "crystal
arthritis," sometimes called "microcrystalline arthritis" because the
crystals are very small. The crystals form in the joint space. As the
body tries to remove the crystals, a painful inflammation occurs.
It usually affects one joint
at a time--often the large joint of the big toe. It also can affect
other joints, such as the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, and elbow. In
rare cases, it may later affect the shoulders, hips, or spine. What are some common misconceptions (common misunderstandings or myths) about gout? Gout once was mistakenly thought to be a disease of the wealthy because
it seemed to be caused by eating rich foods and by drinking too much
alcohol. Although diet and excessive drinking do have something to do
with gout, they are not the main cause of the disorder.
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