I seem to be getting a gradual slight to moderate pain in the left side of my foot towards my toes, and when I wake up in the morning is when the pain is at is most intense state? What could be causing this?

Sounds like gout, which I have. It comes and goes and yes, during the night and early morning are the worse times. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood, a common occurrence. Drink lots of water to flush out your kidneys and use an anti inflammatory to reduce the pain. Its about all you can do for gout.

Tick

edit: next time you have a check up and blood work done, mention this to your doctor and have him test for uric acid. There is an anti inflammatory he can offer you, but they only offer a few at a time. I just go with Tylenol or Motrin.