Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints, usually as flares that last for a week or two, and then resolve. Gout flares often begin in your big toe or a lower limb. Gout happens when high levels of serum urate build up in your body, which can then form needle-shaped crystals in and around the joint. This leads to inflammation and arthritis of the joint. When the body makes too much urate, or removes too little, urate levels build up in the body. However, many people with high levels of serum urate will not develop gout.Areas of the body that can be affected by gout include:Joints.Bursae, cushion-like sacs between bones and other soft tissues.Tendon sheaths, membranes that surround tendons.Kidneys, because the high uric acid levels can lead to stones and sometimes kidney damage.Gout is a disease that can move through several

Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. The most distinctive sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.Symptoms:No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:FatigueFeverJoint pain, stiffness and swellingButterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the bodySkin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposureFingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periodsShortness of breathChest painDry eyesHeadaches, confusion and memory loss

A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.In rheumatoid arthritis, the body's immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs.Symptoms:Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:Tender, warm, swollen jointsJoint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivityFatigue, fever and loss of appetite