Gout or gouty arthritis is a condition that's caused by a build up of uric acid.
Monosodium urate or uric acid crystals is built up on specific joints, cartilage, tendons and surrounding tissues which causes an inflammation of these tissues.
The inflammation is quite painful.
The big toe(s) is usually the area that is affected the most by gout sufferers.
However, it's not the only area.
Some of the areas that are affected by gout include the instep, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows.
Not only is gout painful, there's a good possibility that the joints, cartilage, tendons and tissue where the gout occurs will be damaged.
There are two things you can do to prevent gout.
The first is controlling uric acid through medicine.
The second is controlling purine intake through diet.
When it comes to medicine, you'll need to speak with your doctor about which medications will treat your gout correctly.
These are some of the gout medications available:

• Colchicine: Colchicine will help reduce the inflammation.
  
• Allopurinol: Allopurinol lowers the amount of uric acid produced by your body.
  
• Probenecid: Probenecid helps your body remove excess uric acid
• SulfinpyrazoneL Sulfinpyrazone also help the body get rid of excess uric acid.
  

When it comes to diet, you should limit your amount of purine.
Diets high in purine foods can increase uric acid levels in the body which can cause gout.
This is a typical diet for gout sufferers:

• Alcohol: Alcohol especially beer, should be avoided.
  Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.
  
• Water: Water should be consumed at a rate of 2 to 3 quarts of water daily.
  Adequate water consumption will help dilute uric acid.
  
• Protein: Protein should be consumed moderately.
  Limit your meat, fish and poultry intake to 4 - 6 oz per day.
  To compensate you can try other low-purine proteins such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.
  
• Animal Organs: Animal organs such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads are high in purine.
  Try to avoid these organs entirely.
  

However, you will need to continue to monitor your diet.
You must have a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates which includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables.
The diet must also be low in protein and no more than thirty percent of calories from fat.
Taking medication and limiting or avoiding foods that are high in purine may prevent gout arthritis.