Gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood, which can form sharp crystals in joints — most classically the big toe, though it can affect other joints too.

Why It Happens

Uric acid is a normal waste product from the breakdown of purines, substances found in the body and in certain foods. When the body produces too much uric acid, or the kidneys don't clear it efficiently enough, it can build up and form crystals in joints, triggering sudden, intense inflammation. Our high uric acid guide covers this underlying process in more depth.

What a Gout Attack Feels Like

Gout attacks typically come on suddenly, often overnight, with intense pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint. The big toe is the most classic location, though the ankles, knees, and other joints can be affected. Attacks usually peak within 12 to 24 hours and can last days to weeks without treatment.

Common Triggers

Attacks can be triggered by alcohol (especially beer), foods high in purines (organ meats, certain seafood, red meat), dehydration, sudden weight loss, certain medications, and other illnesses. Our foods that increase uric acid guide covers dietary triggers specifically.

Who's More Likely to Get Gout

The triggers above spark an individual attack, but the underlying risk of developing gout at all is different: gout is more common in men, while women's risk rises mainly after menopause. Longer-term risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, long-term diuretic use, and a family history of gout.

Managing Gout

Managing gout involves treating acute attacks when they happen, and — for people with recurrent attacks — long-term strategies to lower uric acid levels and prevent future flares. Our gout treatment guide covers both.

How Gout Is Diagnosed

A doctor usually starts by evaluating the pattern of the attack — its sudden onset, and which joint is affected. A blood test can measure uric acid levels, though this alone doesn't confirm or rule out gout, since levels can be normal during a flare. When the diagnosis isn't clear, a sample of fluid from the joint can be examined under a microscope for uric acid crystals, which is the most definitive way to confirm gout.

This guide draws on clinical guidance from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and NIH/NIAMS.