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Intense pain in one or more joints
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Redness, swelling and warmth over the joint.
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Pain in the middle of the night.
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Pain upon rising in the morning.
Gout –or gouty arthritis- is a painful condition caused by excessive uric acid, which crystallizes and collects in the joints. Symptoms tend to suddenly appear at night and last for about 10 days. If you are awakened by pain in the first toe and the joint is swollen, tender and red, you might have gout. Gout may also appear in other parts of the feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists.
High blood-pressure medication, consumption of excessive alcohol and the following foods have been associated with gout:
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Red Meat
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Liver
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Scallops
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Herring
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Turkey
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Processed Meat
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Lobster
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Mussels
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Mackerel
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Kidney
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Sardine
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Anchovies
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Shrimp
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Crab
A podiatrist can confirm a gout diagnosis by examining a blood sample or a sample of fluid from the joint. Gout can be controlled through a combination of:
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Dietary Changes.
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Weight Loss.
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Medications.
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Lowering Cholesterol.
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Increased Water Consumption.
