The Mayo Clinic defines gout, also called gouty arthritis, as "a complex form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints, often the joint at the base of the big toe." While men are more likely to suffer from gout, this disease can strike anyone. Post-menopausal women may be increasingly susceptible to it. About 8 million Americans have gout, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

This condition often comes on suddenly and unexpectedly. Upon examination, a sufferer will find the joint at the base of the big toe to be hot, inflamed and so sensitive that even the slightest pressure will cause excruciating pain.

What Causes Gout?

Gout is caused by a buildup of too much uric acid in the body. This acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines, which are found in all of the body’s tissues, as well as in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas. In a healthy body, uric acid will dissolve in the blood and then pass through the kidneys. It leaves the body in our urine. Uric acid might build up in the blood for many reasons, including:

●     The body starts making more uric acid

●     The kidneys do not sufficiently get rid of uric acid

●     A person eats foods high in purines

High uric acid levels can cause hyperuricemia. Most cases do not result in gout, but some do.