|
Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe episodes of pain, tenderness,
redness, warmth and joint swelling. It may affect one joint at a time but it can
become chronic and affect several joints. The most common joint affected by gout
is the large joint of the great toe. The swelling and pain in gout are caused by
increased levels of uric acid in the blood and the formation of uric acid crystals
in the joints. It affects about 2.1 million Americans, can occur at any age, in
men it usually occurs after the age of 30.
|