Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that happens when tiny, sharp crystals build up in your joints, causing sudden and intense pain.
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Gout occurs when your body has too much uric acid, a waste product that normally dissolves in your blood. When there is too much of it, it forms needle-like crystals that settle inside a joint, often causing the area to become swollen, hot, and extremely painful.
The most common place for this to happen is the base of your big toe, though it can also strike your ankles, knees, elbows, or wrists. It usually comes on very suddenly, often in the middle of the night, making even the weight of a bedsheet feel like too much pressure on the affected joint.
Common Symptoms
- Intense joint pain that usually starts at night.
- Swelling, warmth, and redness over the joint.
- Skin that may look shiny or peel as the swelling goes down.
- Extreme tenderness where even a light touch causes agony.
- Limited range of motion where you cannot bend the joint normally.