Why does my foot hurt so badly? Do I Have Gout?

How I wish this post existed for me back in September 2006 when I had my first attack.  I didn't even find out I had gout until early 2013.  That was near seven years of pain popping up at the worst times and near ruining my life.

Let's start with some simple advice that will go at the end of all future blog posts:  This website is for informative purposes and should not be substituted as advice of a medical professional.  If you believe you have gout, I STRONGLY recommend scheduling an appointment with a medical professional and getting the problem checked out.

A Website for a Good Start: What is Gout

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases has an informative page here that gives fast facts on the symptoms of gout.  Basic gout facts found on the linked site include: 

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:

• Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe
• Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin
• Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.

For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen. 

Gout can cause:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Heat
• Stiffness in joints.

In addition to the big toe, gout can affect the:

• Insteps
• Ankles
• Heels
• Knees
• Wrists
• Fingers
• Elbows.

A gout attack can be brought on by stressful events, alcohol or drugs, or another illness. Early attacks usually get better within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment. The next attack may not occur for months or even years. [1]

My personal recollection is that my first and certain other attacks of gout felt like some of the worst pain ever.

Ever had swelling in your foot, knees, elbows, or wrists and felt like it would hurt less if you cut off that body part?  I recommend seeing your doctor as you could very well have gout!

In future posts I'll explain some of the science behind this horrible condition, how a doctor diagnoses this condition, how to treat it, and the future of treatment.  

[Source: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Gout/gout_ff.asp]