Question
Lately, there has been pain in the big toe, initially on the right side, which then shifted to the left. The pain has intensified and is accompanied by swelling. Usually, slippers are worn, and there has been no obvious injury. Sometimes, the pain is so severe that it wakes someone from sleep.
Answer
A condition known as “gout” is caused by excessive intake of high-purine foods, leading to abnormal purine metabolism in the body. Gout patients have a poorer ability to metabolize purines, resulting in the formation of gout stones. Gout stones typically deposit in joints, causing acute arthritis with symptoms of redness, swelling, and pain. The most common affected area is the second toe joint, followed by the ankle and knee joints. To prevent gout, it is important to avoid high-purine diets, and symptomatic anti-inflammatory medications such as allopurinol and colchicine can be taken after onset.