Acute gout develops when a person experiences sudden, severe pain in one of their joints, usually the big toe, ankle, or elbow. The pain of acute gout is so intense that even light pressure or contact is very painful, and it can last for a week or longer, disrupting daily activities. Keeping a diary of triggers like alcohol consumption or foods eaten before an attack can help identify causes and allow sufferers to take preventative measures to avoid future acute gout occurrences.