Gout is a form of arthritis that causes severe pain, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints. The most common place to get gout is where the joint of the big toe meets the foot. Around 56-78% of people with the condition will experience gout in this joint. However, any joint can be affected such as the ankle, knee, fingers, wrist, and elbow.

People will often experience sudden and intense swelling and pain in and around the joint known as a gout attack. People will often describe gout pain as feeling like the area is on fire. During this time, movement or any weight on the area can be excruciating. It can also cause the skin around the swollen joint to become hot and red.

The condition comes and goes meaning it will go through periods when the condition is active, known as a gout flare, and periods when there are no symptoms. An attack usually lasts around 5 to 7 days before improving. When there are no symptoms it’s important that you implement strategies to prevent flares. Gout is more common in men and becomes more common with increasing age.

Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. This happens because of a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid can accumulate in and around a joint, leading to sharp and painful uric acid crystals. Uric acid is a normal waste product the body produces when it breaks down purines, a common substance in many foods.

Uric acid will normally be removed from the blood by the kidneys, however, when high levels of purine-rich foods are eaten, the body can struggle to remove the uric acid from the blood before it crystallises in a joint causing gout.

Foods that are high in purines include offal (like liver and kidney), game (such as pheasant and venison), sugary soft drinks, seafood, and alcohol.

Not everyone who has high blood levels of uric acid, or a diet high in purines, will develop the condition. Other factors increase your risk such as a family history of gout, being overweight, kidney problems, a high alcohol intake, and taking certain medicines.

Your lifestyle choices are one of the most important factors in preventing gout. The gout diet is often adopted by those with the condition as it can often limit purine intake enough to prevent flares.

The diet involves avoiding foods and drinks that are high in purines or result in an increased risk of a flare-up.

A healthy diet and exercise, in general, can improve your condition by limiting excess weight as a risk factor as well as potentially improving other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You should speak to your doctor or dietician about ways to assist with a diet and exercise plan for you and your conditions.