Gout

       Here's the wikipedia link on the subject:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gout

            The only thing I can add is "snake oil" type comments. It is often reported that eating red tart cherries will help prevent the disease. Well, I tried eating red tart cherries in spring water (canned), and it worked for me during a minor gout attack. My doctor had prescribed a drug that treats the symptoms, but I don't favor that, though it worked, too. In the end, the problem usually goes away over time, like a week or so, at least to me. In my case, it is hard to walk well when the big toe area hurts a lot. Supposedly, it is the effects of uric acid crystals in the joints.