what is gout? Beverly

Not Medical Advice: As explained by the National Institute of Health, "gout" is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It is caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:

Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe

Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin

Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.

For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.

Gout can cause:

Pain

Swelling

Redness

Heat

Stiffness in joints

In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the:

Insteps

Ankles

Heels

Knees

Wrists

Fingers

Elbows

Treatment includes medication to reduce uric acid buildup, ibuprofen, and reduced consumption of seafood, red meat, organ meat, and alcohol.

Tip! Find out How to Stop a Gout Attack from Arthritis Foundation.

Tags: uric acidgoutbig toearthritis 
Wednesday, March 16 2016


Source: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/gout_ff.asp

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