Gout is a chronic condition that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints.

It occurs when you have a high level of uric acid in your blood, which your body produces when you consume certain foods or drinks, such as alcohol, steak, and seafood. [1] [2] Uric acid is supposed to dissolve in your blood and pass through the kidneys without any problems. But when your body produces too much uric acid, the acid can build up and form crystals in the joints or surrounding tissues. These crystals are what cause the pain, inflammation, and discomfort you may experience when you have gout.

Anyone can be diagnosed with gout. But men are more likely than women to have gout, although this difference is less relevant in the years after menopause. Gout and lower quality of gout care is more common among black Americans. [3]

Numerous factors can make you more at risk of gout, including genetics, dietary conditions, medications, and other medical conditions.

Common symptoms of gout include: [1]

• Intense joint pain that starts suddenly and usually affects your big toe, but can also impact the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. Often accompanied by redness, warmth and swelling, this pain is usually its worst within the first several hours, and flares can last for days or weeks.
• Stiffness which can result in limited mobility
• Lumps around the joints

It is important to get an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible to make sure that the condition does not worsen. The best way to do this is by visiting your doctor and, if possible, getting a referral to visit a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in treating gout.

Some ways that your doctor can assess whether you have the condition is through joint fluid tests, blood tests, X-ray imaging, ultrasound, and CT scan.