Gouty Arthritis (Gout) and Uric Acid

Gouty arthritis, or gout, is an extremely painful disease that affects the joints of the elderly, the obese, and the diabetics. Crystals of uric acid are found in these damaged joints. Why do these crystals form, and how are they linked to the excruciating pain experienced by those with gout? Find out more in this episode of Medicurio.

Informative websites to check out about gout:
Gout and Uric Acid Education Society: http://gouteducation.org/
Tophus images (click at your own risk!): http://bit.ly/2giFbjk
Arthritis Foundation: http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthri...

Something that intrigued me when I was researching about gout was why there were even proteins that reabsorb uric acid from the urine when all it does is cause hyperuricemia. Surprisingly, everybody has a low level of uric acid in the blood, indicating that uric acid may be important to life, possibly as a natural antioxidant. However, too much of it causes gout.