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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffGout is 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.
Gout can affect anyone. Men are more likely to get gout, but women become increasingly susceptible to gout after menopause.
An acute attack of gout can wake you up in the middle of the night feeling like your big toe is on fire. The affected joint is hot, swollen and so tender that even the weight of the sheet on it seems intolerable.
Fortunately, gout is treatable, and there are ways to reduce the risk that gout will recur.
- Gout. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/gout.asp. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Gout. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec04/ch035/ch035b.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Becker MA. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gout. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Becker MA. Treatment of acute gout. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Hayman S, et al. Gout: Is a purine-restricted diet still recommended? Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2009;109:1652.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/default.htm . Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Demio PC. Gout. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/161368019-9/891013598/1494/112.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50069-7--cesec4_3349. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Yu K-H, et al. Dietary factors associated with hyperuricemia in adults. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2008;37:243.
- Becker MA. Prevention of recurrent gout. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Mercier LR. Gout. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/161368019-15/891042809/2088/271.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0085_5557. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
- Questions and answers about gout. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/default.asp. Accessed Sept. 23, 2009.
