Over Christmas my right big toe became swollen, painful, and red. My cousin said that he has gout, and it caused the same symptoms. Do you think he may be correct about my big toe?
Your cousin MAY be correct. Although there may be other causes, the big toe is a common place for a gout attack. The symptoms of gout are a painful, red, swollen joint, as it is a form of arthritits. There are a number of causes; the most common is just an elevation of the uric acid levels in the blood, which accumulates in the joint, causing the symptoms. The treatment is with anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen; however, gout attacks can be prevented by lowering your uric acid levels with medication. See your doctor to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Expert: News Canada
To learn more about gout, watch this video from VideoMD.com.
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