Gout is a systemic disease caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints of the body, causing inflammation, swelling and pain.

You wake up in the middle of the night, and your big toe feels as if it's on fire. It's hot, swollen and so tender that the weight of the blanket on it is nearly intolerable.

If so, you might be experiencing an acute attack of gout - or gouty arthritis - a form of arthritis that's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints.

Treatment

For gout attacks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may provide relief. Keep in mind that these medications can cause side effects, including stomach pain, bleeding and ulcers. What's more, NSAIDs have a ceiling effect — a limit as to how much pain they can control. This means that beyond a certain dosage, they don't provide additional benefits.

For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid drug such as prednisone. Although steroids can provide dramatic relief, they can also cause serious side effects, including thinning bones, poor wound healing and decreased ability to fight infection. Sometimes doctors inject cortisone into the affected joint, but this approach can still cause side effects, and shots are generally limited to no more than three a year.

Once the acute attack is under control, your doctor may recommend preventive treatment to slow the rate at which your body produces uric acid or to increase the rate at which it's excreted.