What is Gout?
Gout occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the blood and uric acid crystals precipitate in the cooler parts of the body such as the joints of the hands or feet. High levels of uric acid may also build up as lumps under the skin called tophi, or as kidney stones. Uric Acid is a waste product of the oxidation of purines which are constituents of nucleic acids such as DNA. Uric acid is normally excreted in the urine to maintain a concentration of uric acid in the blood of approximately 4 mg/dL. When the concentration exceeds 7 mg/dL, crystals of monosodium urate start to form in the tissues. This condition is known as hyperuricemia. (more…)
