Gout can affect anyjointbut most often affects thebig toe.
Gout attacks occur suddenly.
The toe is so inflamed that even the weight of a light bedsheet can lead to severe pain.
Doucefleur / Getty Images
Gout treatment typically focuses on managing symptoms and preventing gout attacks.
This article covers gout causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
The crystals are the cause of gout.
It is possible to have high uric acid levels and never get gout.
According to a 2021Biomoleculesreport, only up to 36% of people with hyperuricemia will develop gout.
Gout Risk Factors
Some risk factors increase your risk for gout.
These include:
What Is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down chemicals calledpurines.
A diet rich in purine foods and drinks can increase uric acid levels.
Purine-rich foods and beverages include:
Too much uric acid in the body leads to hyperuricemia.
Hyperuricemia will cause urate crystals to develop and settle into the joints leading to gout.
Urate crystals can also find their way into the kidneys and lead tokidney stones.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones can occur as a result of high levels of uric acid.
Kidney stones can block the passage of urine and cause severe pain.
Gout Symptoms
Periods of increased symptoms of gout are called gout attacks or gout flare-ups.
Gout attacks are very painful and can come on quickly.
Symptoms of a gout attack might include:
A gout attack generally affects one joint at a time.
Symptoms will worsen and then slowly resolve.
Most people will recover from a gout flare within a week or two.
Your healthcare provider will ask questions about the onset of symptoms and any symptom patterns.
They will also ask about any family history of gout or other inflammatory conditions you might have.
The physical examination looks at the affected joint for swelling, redness, or tenderness.
Blood work might be done to measure uric acid levels in the body.
The fluid is then examined under a microscope to look for urate crystals.
Imaging of affected joints can rule out other causes of your joint symptoms.
Gout can affect any joint but most often affects the big toe.
The cause of gout is too much uric acid in the body.
Some people have a higher risk for gout, including males and people with a family history of gout.
Gout is a treatable condition and can be managed with medication and diet.
A Word From Verywell
Gout is a lifelong condition.
Most people can have a good quality of life if gout is diagnosed early and managed appropriately.
But untreated gout can lead to joint damage.
Others might develop other health problems, including kidney stones or severe arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some foods can help to lower uric acid.
For example, low-fat dairy can lower uric acid levels and reduce future attacks.
Cherries are also believed to help prevent attacks.
The joint might also feel stiff or a little sore.
There is no cure for gout, but the condition is treatable.
Treatment aims to reduce symptoms during gout attacks and prevent future attacks.
Healthcare providers will also prescribe medicines to reduce uric acid levels, which might prevent future flares.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gout.
National Kidney Foundation.Gout and kidney disease.
Zhang WZ.Why does hyperuricemia not necessarily induce gout?.Biomolecules.
2019;59(1):24. doi:10.1186/s42358-019-0067-7
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Kidney stones.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Symptoms and diagnosis of gout.
2018;57(suppl_1):i4-i11.
doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kex453
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Treatment of gout.
2017;76(11):1870-1882. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211472
