What is gout?
Gout is a sudden and painful form of arthritis that affects your big toe joint. When you have a gout flare-up, you usually feel like your big toe is burning. Your swollen joint appears red and hot, often so sensitive that the slightest contact is intolerable.
Additional symptoms of gout include:
- Reduced range of motion in your affected joints
- Discomfort that lasts after the severe pain subsides
- Pain in other joints throughout your body, such as elbows, wrists, and fingers
Gout can be a chronic condition with painful flare-ups that come and go.
What causes gout?
If you have gout, it's coming from urate crystals accumulating in your big toe joint and causing inflammation and pain.
Your body naturally produces uric acid by breaking down purines, substances found in foods like steak, seafood, beer, and sweetened beverages. If your body produces too much uric acid or secretes too little, it can build up in your system. As the uric acid accumulates, urate crystals form which can cause tissue inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Who is at risk of gout?
In addition to having a family history of gout or being overweight, several factors can increase your risks of developing gout, including:
- Medical conditions like diabetes, heart, or kidney disease
- Taking medications, such as diuretics, that increase uric acid levels
- Diets high in meat, seafood, beer, or beverages high in fructose
- Letting yourself get dehydrated
Gout usually develops more often in men between 30-50, but your risk increases if you’re a woman who’s gone through menopause.
How is gout treated?
The first step to successfully managing gout is by making lifestyle modifications, such as:
- Limiting alcohol
- Staying well-hydrated
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a low-fat diet that limits meat and seafood
Dr. Rambacher also provides podiatry solutions to increase your comfort by offering footwear recommendations and custom-made orthotic inserts to relieve pressure or discomfort. Your treatment might also include nonsteroidal or steroidal medications to reduce your pain and inflammation.
If your gout flare-ups lead to secondary conditions like corns and calluses, Dr. Rambacher can resolve those issues as well.
Call Podiatry Hotline Inc., or schedule an online to find gout management solutions to reduce your discomfort.
