In the United States, approximately 3.9 percent of people age 20 and older have gout.
This condition is a type of arthritis that most often affects the big toe. The attacks can happen suddenly, causing intense discomfort that can make it hard to walk and get comfortable.
Gout occurs when urate crystals start to build up in the joints. High levels of uric acid in a person’s blood can lead to the formation of urate crystals. Purines, a substance that your body naturally has, is also found in different foods, such as steak, seafood, and alcoholic beverages. When your body is breaking them down, it produces uric acid.

