health sectionhealth sectionGout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden swelling, redness and severe pain in a joint. It usually affects the big toe, ankles, knees, wrists and hands. There are a variety of risk factors and things you can do to help prevent or treat gout.
The word "arthritis" can be broken down to explain exactly what it is. "Arthro" refers to the joints and "itis" means inflammation. Therefore, anyone with inflammation in one or several joints has this condition. Arthritis can be caused by the action of the immune system or from wear and tear on the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that causes damage in the joints from long-term inflammation. Since it is a disorder of the immune system, it can also affect other organs in the body and cause fatigue, weakness and even fevers.
