Gout

Gout is one of the oldest joint diseases known to mankind.

Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis caused by deposition of uric acid in the joint. It usually occurs in a single joint especially the joint at the base of the big toe, although it may occur in other joints and may involve more than one joint.
Gout is very common in young males. Gout rarely occurs in children and young women. Young females usually do not suffer from gout as oesterogen is uricosuric and females will suffer from gout only after menopause.

What is uric acid ?
Uric acid is a break down product of purines that are part of many foods. Purines are found in high concentration in meat and meat products, especially internal organs like liver and kidney. Being a break down product, uric acid is naturally present in body. However when it accumulates in the blood in excessive amounts ( known as hyperuricemia ) it has tendency to precipitate in joints.