GOUT

GOUT
Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden burning pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint, usually the toe. This can happen repeatedly unless gout is treated. Over time, gout can harm the joints, tendons, and other tissues. Gout always occurs suddenly, often at night.

Causes
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in a joint, causing inflammation and pain. Urate crystals can form when the levels of uric acid are high in the blood. Usually, uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys into the urine. But sometimes the body either produces too much uric acid or the kidneys excrete too little of it, causing uric acid to build up, forming sharp, needle-like urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling, foods also promote higher levels of uric acid, such as alcoholic beverages, especially beer and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar.