Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints, usually as flares that last for a week or two, and then disappear. It happens when high levels of serum urate build up in the body, which can then form needle-shaped crystals in and around the joint, leading to inflammation and arthritis of the joint. Gout most commonly affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body.

The most common symptom of gout is pain in the affected joint, which can be intense and debilitating. Many people have their first flare of gout in one of their big toes, but it can also affect other joints in the body. Gout flares often start suddenly at night, and the intense pain may be bad enough to wake you up. In addition, the joint may feel swollen, red, warm, and stiff. If gout is untreated over long periods of time, tophi can develop. A tophus is the buildup of needle-shaped crystals that cause hard lumps to form under the skin, in and around the joints, and other organs.

Gout can be diagnosed through blood tests to measure the uric acid in the blood, as well as imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment for gout typically involves medications and changes to the diet that will lower uric acid levels and minimize how often gout attacks occur in the future.