What is "gout"

Gout \Gout\ (gout), n. [F. goutte a drop, the gout, the disease being considered as a defluxion, fr. L. gutta drop.]

1. A drop; a clot or coagulation.

   On thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood.
   --Shak.

2. (Med.) A constitutional disease, occurring by paroxysms. It consists in an inflammation of the fibrous and ligamentous parts of the joints, and almost always attacks first the great toe, next the smaller joints, after which it may attack the greater articulations. It is attended with various sympathetic phenomena, particularly in the digestive organs. It may also attack internal organs, as the stomach, the intestines, etc. It is an inherited disease of purine metaboism, which causes an increased level of uric acid in the blood, and leads to deposition of crystals of sodium urate in cartilage within joints and in connective tissue. It can be alleviated by a diet low in purines, and is treated by drugs which block formation of uric acid.
   --Dunglison.

3. A disease of cornstalks. See Corn fly, under Corn.

   Gout stones. See Chalkstone, n., 2.

Gout \Go[^u]t\ (g[=oo]), n. [F., fr. L. gustus taste. See Gusto.] Taste; relish.

c.1200, from Old French gote (10c., Modern French goutte) "gout; drop," from Latin gutta "a drop," in Medieval Latin "gout," of unknown origin. The disease was thought to be caused by drops of viscous humors seeping from the blood into the joints, which turned out to be close to the modern scientific view.

n. 1 (context pathology not countable English) An extremely painful inflammation of joints, especially of the big toe, caused by a metabolic defect resulting in the accumulation of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of urates around the joints. 2 (context usually followed by of English) A spurt or splotch. 3 (context rare English) A disease of wheat and cornstalks, caused by insect larvae.''Oxford English Dictionary'', second edition (1989)

n. a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints [syn: gouty arthritis, urarthritis]

Gout is usually characterized by recurrent attacks of inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, and swollen joint. Pain typically comes on rapidly in less than twelve hours. The joint at the base of the big toe is affected in about half of cases. It may also result in tophi, kidney stones, or urate nephropathy.

The cause is a combination of diet and genetic factors. It occurs more commonly in those who eat a lot of meat, drink a lot of beer, or are overweight. The underlying mechanism involves elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. At high levels, the uric acid crystallizes and the crystals deposit in joints, tendons and surrounding tissues, an attack of gout occurs. Diagnosis may be confirmed by seeing the crystals in joint fluid or tophus. Blood uric acid levels may be normal during an attack.

Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or colchicine improves symptoms. Once the acute attack subsides, levels of uric acid can be lowered via lifestyle changes and in those with frequent attacks, allopurinol or probenecid provides long-term prevention. Taking vitamin C and eating a diet high in low fat dairy products may be preventive.

Gout affects about 1 to 2% of the Western population at some point in their lives. It has become more common in recent decades. This is believed to be due to increasing risk factors in the population, such as metabolic syndrome, longer life expectancy and changes in diet. Older males are most commonly affected. Gout was historically known as "the disease of kings" or "rich man's disease". It has been recognized at least since the time of the ancient Egyptians.

Gout can refer to:

• Gout, metabolic arthritis
• Gout Fort, grape variety Chenin blanc
• Goût grec, style of decorative arts
• Gout plant, Jatropha podagrica
• Gout-Rossignol, commune in France