Has the joint of your big toe ever become red, swollen and painful for no apparent reason, producing indescribable pain when you tried to walk? Sounds like a gout flare-up.

Gout often afflicts the joint of the big toe first, before it progresses onto other joints in the body, if it's left untreated.

There are ways to lessen or in some cases, stop the flare-ups of gout, once you know the causes, symptoms and treatments for gout.

This article details gout causes, symptoms and treatments.