J. France
Gout to my understanding is caused by high uric acid levels in the blood. Your body does not excrete it properly and therefore it crystalizes and forms around your bones. It is a form of arthritis and you should go to a specialist. If this is your first attack they will make sure it is gout and probably give you a shot of cortazone. Other common drugs used to treat it are alipurinal and cotrazene. It is very important that you go to the doctor because even when the pain and swelling go away the crystals are still there and can make you more prone to an attack. Gout is very serious and if left unattended in severe cases can criple or require surgery. All of the men in my family suffer from gout my father being the worst. Go to an arthritis specialist if you can they are so much more knowledgable than a regular physician.