WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GOUT.

Understanding Gout: Symptoms, Causes, and Management Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, causing sudden, severe pain and swelling. Uric acid is a byproduct of purine breakdown—substances found in some foods and the body's tissues. Normally, the body eliminates uric acid through the kidneys, but if it overproduces uric acid or fails to excrete enough, crystals can form in joints, leading to painful attacks. The most common area affected by gout is the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can occur in other joints like the ankles, knees, and elbows. Gout attacks can come on suddenly and be intense, disrupting your daily life. Symptoms of Gout l Severe Joint Pain : Commonly affecting the big toe but also the ankles, knees, wrists, or fingers, pain is often worst within the first 12 hours of an attack. l Continuous joint Discomfort : Even after the most intense pain subsides, joint discomfort may continue for days ...