About Gout
Gout or Hyperuricaemia is a kind of arthritis. It is
a disorder associated with metabolism of uric acid. Crystals
of monosodium urate or uric acid are deposited on the
cartilage of joints and tendons, causing arthritis, tendonitis,
bursitis, synovitis and renal disease. This leads to severe
pain and swelling of the affected joint. Gout usually
affects the big toe. However, it can also affect other
joints, such as the ankle, heel, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers
and spine.
Gouty arthritis is predominantly a problem of post-pubertal
men, and is seldom seen in women before menopause. Serum
uric acid concentrates are determined by a number of demographic
factors like age, sex, body bulk and genetic constitution.
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