What is Gout?

You wake up in the middle of the night, and your big toe feels as if it's on fire. It's hot, swollen and so tender that the weight of the blanket on it is nearly intolerable.

If so, you might be experiencing an acute attack of gout - or gouty arthritis - a form of arthritis that's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints.

Gout has been recognized for more than 2,000 years, making it one of humankind's oldest known diseases. In the past, gout was often known as "the disease of kings" because it was associated with wealthy men who overindulged in rich food and drink. Today, it's known that gout is a complex disorder that can affect anyone.

In fact, it's a painful problem for more million Americans. It's true that men are more likely to get gout than women are, but women become increasingly susceptible to it after menopause. Fortunately, gout is treatable, and there are ways to keep it from recurring