Reduce Your Risk of Gout
At Caring Podiatry, we find that many of our Monmouth and Middlesex County patients have only a vague understanding of gout—until it happens to them! This incredibly painful disorder is not soon forgotten, especially if you have suffered a typical, middle-of-the-night attack. Oftentimes patients will go to bed feeling perfectly fine only to awaken several hours later with excruciating pain in their big toe. Other symptoms include throbbing, redness, warmth, swelling, and very limited range of motion for the toe. The symptoms and signs of gout are usually acute, they appear suddenly without warning. Many times, the attack will occur at night.
What’s Behind Gout?
Gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by an excess of uric acid building up in the body. Uric acid is a naturally occurring chemical in our body and a byproduct of the breakdown of certain types of food. If, however, your body doesn’t properly eliminate it and too much accumulates the uric acid tends to crystallize in the joints and cause gout. Although gout can develop in any joint in the body it most often occurs in the joint at the base of the big toe.
Action Steps to Prevent Gout
There are some risk factors for gout that you can’t change. These would include being male and between the ages of 40-60 (the demographic that most often is afflicted with gout), for example, or having a family history of the disease. However, there are ways you can lower your risk for this condition, including:
Modify your diet. For some people, food high in purines bring on a gout attack. These include red meat, organ meats, shellfish, red wine, and beer. Consider eating bananas, cherries, and celery. They can help lower uric acid levels, as well as alleviate pain and swelling.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight increase your chances of developing gout.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic beverages can aid your kidneys in flushing uric acid out of your body.
Think You are Experiencing a Gout Attack?
Visit the podiatrist. If you think you’ve experienced a gout attack you should make an appointment immediately at our Monroe Township (609-860-9111) or our Neptune (732-455-8700) offices. Our podiatrists, Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, and Mark Fillari will examine your foot and determine the best way to provide you with fast relief from the gout attack. Pain relief for your gout attack is a top priority at Caring Podiatry.
