What is gout?

I have been having severe pains and swelling in my right toe for some months. My online investigations suggested it might be Gout. Kindly let me know what Gout is about and what I can do to manage it.

Ngozi (by SMS)

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid in joints. An acute attack has a sudden history of severe pain, often (but not always) in a single joint such as the big toe, ankle, knee or wrist, intense pain that can worsen over hours or days, swelling, redness and warmth in the affected joint along with tenderness and stiffness, and a limited range of motion.

To get rid of the symptoms of gout, elevate the joint, apply ice and take the prescribed meds such as NSAIDS, corticosteroids or colchicine within the first 24 hours of a flare-up. The main cause of gout is a buildup of uric acid in the body (hyperuricemia), when the body makes too much uric acid.

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This leads to the formation of urate crystals in the joints – this is what causes gout. Diets high in purines, excess alcohol consumption, obesity and some medical conditions can increase uric acid production and the risk of gout. Some of the foods that can trigger gout are organ and red meat, some seafood, alcohol, sugary drinks, sodas, candy, processed foods, game meats, yeast and yeast byproducts, high fat dairy products (no more pure cream in coffee), and gravy.