Is redness, swelling, and warmth in the joints a typical symptom of gout?

That's a classic description! You could say that sudden redness, swelling, heat, and excruciating pain—especially that knife-cutting or tiger-bite-like agony—are the most classic "four symptoms" of an acute gout attack.

Many people experience their first attack in the middle of the night, waking up from a sound sleep due to pain in their big toe (this is the most common location, but ankles, knees, and wrists can also be affected). The pain is so intense that you can't bear anything to touch it, not even a bedsheet. At the same time, the affected joint will turn bright red and feel noticeably hotter to the touch than other areas.

To put it simply: it's like your body has too much uric acid, and it can't process it all. So, these excess uric acid crystals form sharp little needles in your joints. Your body sees these "uninvited guests" and quickly sends your immune system to "fight a battle." This battle then causes "warfare" in your joint, manifesting as redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

These acute attacks usually come on very quickly, possibly reaching their peak intensity within a few hours, causing unbearable pain. Although they might slowly subside on their own after a few days or a week or two, don't assume that once it's gone, everything is fine. This indicates that your body's uric acid metabolism is already problematic.

Therefore, if this situation occurs, it's highly recommended to see a doctor immediately (usually in the rheumatology department) to check your blood uric acid levels and get a diagnosis. Early intervention, whether through medication or lifestyle adjustments (such as reducing beer, seafood, and organ meats), is crucial to prevent future recurrent attacks and potential damage to your joints and kidneys.