What Is Gout? Symptoms, Causes and the Treatments That Work
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by urate crystals that build up in a joint, most often the big toe. Flares bring sudden pain, swelling and redness, often at night, and usually ease in a week or two. About 3.9% of US adults have it. Flare medicine helps in the short term, and a urate-lowering drug aimed at 6 mg/dL or lower prevents repeat flares.