Got Gout?
As we round the corner on Thanksgiving and head into the holiday season rich foods are on the menu which can trigger an attack of gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that is fairly common. It occurs as a result of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines—a substance found naturally in the body and certain foods. Usually, the uric acid dissolves and is excreted through your kidneys. If too much builds up, however, or your body excretes too little the excess uric acid forms sharp urate crystals, which can accumulate in a joint causing inflammation and extreme pain. The most common site of gout is the big toe.
What Triggers Gout?
An attack of gout can be brought on by consuming foods high in purines—many of which are found on holiday tables. They include red meat, turkey, seafood (scallops, shrimp, anchovies, mussels, trout, and tuna), organ meats, alcoholic beverages, drinks, and desserts sweetened with fructose and rich sauces. Other factors that may increase your risk for gout include:
Being overweight.
Certain medical conditions including high blood pressure, kidney and heart diseases, and diabetes.
Family history of gout.
Sex—men ages 30-50 are most susceptible; risk for women increases to similar levels after menopause.
Medications—some drugs used to treat hypertension, low-dose aspirin, and some anti-rejection drugs.
Recent surgery or physical trauma.
Treatment Options
If you have experienced a gout attack in your foot you should contact your podiatrist as soon as possible. If you don’t see a podiatrist regularly you can find one near you in our online directory. Diagnosis of gout is usually made based on your symptoms but the podiatrist may use blood tests, x-rays, or a joint fluid test to confirm gout and rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. The foot doctor may prescribe medication to relieve the pain and also to reduce the amount of uric acid in your body. He or she may also suggest diet modifications and other lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of future attacks.
To learn more about diseases and conditions that can affect your feet, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.