What is gout?
Description from SingHealth
Gout is a joint condition and a type of arthritis. It attacks single joints, especially the big toe. If left untreated, an acute attack will subside in a week or two, but gout is prone to recurrence.
Description from Wikipedia
Gout is a disease created by a buildup of uric acid. In this condition, crystals of monosodium urate or uric acid are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. These crystals cause inflammation and pain, both severe. If untreated, the crystals form tophi (an additional protrusion of additional bone structure), which can cause significant tissue damage. Gout results from a combination of elevated concentrations of uric acid and overall acidity in the bloodstream. In isolation, neither elevated uric acid nor acidity is normally sufficient to cause gout.
