Gout

Some people develop gout because their kidneys struggle to remove uric acid, while others get it because their bodies produce too much uric acid.

Gout is most common in your big toe because uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes. Since your big toe is the part of your body farthest from your heart, it’s also the coldest body part, making it the most likely target of gout. However, gout can affect any joint in your body.

What are the symptoms of gout?

An attack of gout can be extremely uncomfortable. You typically experience symptoms such as:  

• Intense, sudden pain
• Inflammation and swelling
• Redness and warmth over the joint 

It’s common for your symptoms to occur in the middle of the night or as soon as you wake up, although each person is different.

What increases my risk of getting gout?

The tendency to accumulate uric acid often runs in families. Certain health conditions and other factors also increase your likelihood of getting gout, including: 

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Chemotherapy
• Stress
• Certain medications and vitamins

Consuming foods and drinks with high levels of purines -- such as shellfish, kidneys or liver and red wine -- may trigger an attack of gout.

How does a podiatrist diagnose gout? What is gout?

A buildup of uric acid causes gout in your tissues or a joint. The condition most commonly affects the joint of your big toe. Gout may come and go, in what is known as attacks.

Although gout is more common in men ages 40-60, it can occur in younger men and women, too.

Why do I have gout?

Uric acid, which is present in your blood, is supposed to be eliminated through urination. However, when you have gout, the uric acid doesn’t flush out as it should, but instead accumulates and crystallizes in your joints.

Your doctor at Eastside Foot & Ankle asks questions about your health and your family medical history, then examines your foot and toe. They sometimes recommend laboratory tests and X-rays to rule out conditions similar to gout.

What measures can treat gout?

Your doctor usually prescribes medication. Gout medications can prevent and treat attacks. They also generally recommend drugs to block the production of uric acid and lessen your risk of gout-related complications.

To find out about the treatment options that might be right for you, call Eastside Foot & Ankle today or schedule a consultation online.