Gaining an Understanding of Gout

Gout affects nearly 1% of Australians with severe episodes of pain and swelling that can often occur without any warning.

Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden flares of pain, swelling and redness in the joints. Symptoms have a much quicker onset than other forms of arthritis, and attacks often occur overnight (Better Health Channel 2018).

Gout generally affects joints in the limbs - usually one at a time - such as feet, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, fingers and toes (especially the big toe) (Arthritis Australia 2017).

What Causes Gout?

Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid; a byproduct that is normally excreted through urine. When there is excess uric acid in the blood, either because the kidneys can not excrete it quickly enough or too much has been produced, it forms crystals (‘urate’) in the joints. These crystals cause painful inflammations (Harvard Health Publishing 2019; Healthdirect 2018).