Gout is a very painful form of arthritis that usually attacks the big toe and can spread to the insteps, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers or elbows. Gout occurs when an excessive buildup of uric acid in the body forms painful crystals in the joints. These uric acid crystals deposit in the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues causing inflammation. Uric acid deposits can form under the skin (called tophi) and even some kidney stones are formed from uric acid crystals.
Joint pain, gout and arthritis are rare in countries where small amounts of meat is eaten such as New Zealand, China, Japan and Africa. When people from these cultures eat a western diet of too much protein, the rates of joint pain increase dramatically to match levels typical in Americans. (more…)
Recently, a study led by researchers at the Boston University College of Medicine reported that gout — a form of inflammatory arthritis — has risen by 1 percent over the past two decades, affecting about 4 percent of adults in the U.S.