18/12/2025
1. The Root Cause
Gout: It is a metabolic condition. When your body has too much uric acid (often from diet or kidney issues), it forms needle-like crystals in the joint. Your immune system sees these crystals as "invaders" and attacks them, causing intense inflammation.
Osteoarthritis (Most Common): This is a mechanical issue. The cartilage that cushions your bones wears down over time, causing bone to rub on bone.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune issue where your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints.
2. The Way Pain Behaves
Gout typically occurs in "flares." You might be perfectly fine, wake up at 2:00 AM with a toe that feels like it’s on fire, and then have the pain vanish completely after a week or two.
Other Arthritis tends to be chronic. The stiffness and pain are usually present every day, often feeling worse in the morning or after heavy activity.
3. Triggers
Gout is famously triggered by lifestyle factors, such as eating high-purine foods (red meat, seafood), drinking alcohol (especially beer), or dehydration.
Other Arthritis is triggered by physical activity, weather changes, or, in the case of autoimmune types, general stress and illness.
4. Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis: Doctors diagnose gout by testing for uric acid levels in the blood or taking a fluid sample from the joint to look for crystals. Other arthritis is usually diagnosed via X-rays or MRI to see joint damage.
Always consult your doctor or pharmacist
