Gout Isn’t Just a King’s Disease
Once thought to affect only royalty, gout can strike anyone. It’s caused by uric acid crystal buildup in the joints, leading to intense pain and inflammation. “Gout is a common health problem… due to the buildup of urate crystals in the body” (Ragab et al., 2017a). It affects men four times more than women, especially between ages 30–50 (Kuo et al., 2014).

The Four Stages of Gout
Gout progresses through four phases:

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia – no symptoms yet high uric acid.

Acute gout – sudden joint pain and swelling.

Inter-critical gout – symptom-free periods.

Chronic tophaceous gout – long-term damage and visible tophi (Ragab et al., 2017b).

Painful Symptoms and Triggers
Gout often targets the big toe but may hit the knees, elbows, or wrists. Pain peaks within 4–12 hours, and joints become “tender, swollen, warm, and red” (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Common triggers include alcohol, red meat, organ meats, and certain vegetables (Aihemaitijiang et al., 2020).