Gout (gouty arthritis) is the most painful of all the types of arthritis. It is caused due to the build up of uric acid crystals in and around the joints. It can also cause redness, swelling, heat and stiffness of the joints. Ten important things to know about gout (gouty arthritis) are that; it can be accurately diagnosed by identifying the characteristic crystals; a microscopic exam of the joint fluid reveals whether monosodium urate crystals which deposit around the affected joints are present.

Deposits of uric acid called as Tophi can also deposit under the skin. The blood uric acids levels can be temporarily low during gout (gouty arthritis) attack. Uric acid is formed as a result of breakdown of purines. Purines are a part of human tissue and are found in many foods. It is important to know the warning signs or symptoms of a gout attack.

Gout generally attacks the big toe, but ankles, wrists, knees and heels can also be affected. Certain conditions which can trigger gout (gouty arthritis) are; medicines affecting the kidney functions such as Cyclosporine, a drug which is given to organ transplant recipients or aspirin taken in low dosage can raise uric acid levels in the blood.

Urate lowering drugs can also trigger gout as they enable a sharp fall in uric acid. Consuming alcohol and obesity, hypertension, high blood fats called as hyperlipidemia and diabetes are also responsible for gout (gouty arthritis). Among other triggers, there is injury to the joints, surgical stress, acute medical illness, fasting and dehydration, fad diets, exposure to lead and body temperature which means gout tends to form in cold body parts.

For successfully treating gout, pain and inflammation must be relieved, acute attacks must be stopped, future attacks should be prevented and conditions such as renal disease, tophi and kidney stones must be prevented. Also, resting the affected joints and taking prescribed medicines which include NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on time can help prevent the onset of gout’s (gouty arthritis) disease.

Research has proven that people having gout (gouty arthritis) have an increased risk of heart attack. The study shows a relationship between gout and risk of having heart attack to people who are nonusers of alcohol, aspirin or diuretics and also among those who do not have diabetes or are obese. The relationship shows that those people have very little chance of having gout (gouty arthritis).

One of the latest research also shows that men who have large quantities of soft drinks sweetened with fructose have a much high risk of developing gout. As compared to men, women are less likely to have gout. The June 2007 edition of Arthritis and Rheumatism reports show that there is a strong relationship between having coffee and a reduced chance of acquiring gout.