Do you have: A family history of gout, high uric acid levels or are
you Maori, pacific? Then you may have one of the risk factors for gout.
It causes sudden attacks of pain, often coming on overnight. Within 12-24 hours there is severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. It can affect any joint but usually the first attack affects the big toe or another part of the foot. The skin over the joint may also become red and shiny.
http://www.arthritis.org.nz/information/forms-of-arthritis/gout/
It causes sudden attacks of pain, often coming on overnight. Within 12-24 hours there is severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. It can affect any joint but usually the first attack affects the big toe or another part of the foot. The skin over the joint may also become red and shiny.
http://www.arthritis.org.nz/information/forms-of-arthritis/gout/