Gout is a kind of arthritis. It can cause an attack of sudden burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, most often affecting the big toe, knee, and wrist joints. These attacks can happen over and over unless gout is treated. Over time, they can harm your joints, tendons, and other tissues. Gout is most common in men.
Osteoarthritis and gout are sometimes mistaken for one another, as both diseases are characterized by swelling and inflammation, Gout, however, is different because it occurs when the body can’t get rid of a natural substance called uric acid, which is composed of of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. The excess uric acid forms needle – like crystals in the joints that cause swelling and severe pain. This does not occur in typical osteoarthritis. While some treatments for gout and osteoarthritis are similar, gout requires specific medications in order to decrease uric acid build up in the body.
