Gout Specialist

What causes gout?

Gout, which is a type of arthritis, is a condition that uric acid triggers. Normally, uric acid, a byproduct of purine digestion, flushes out through waste. If you have a diet high in purines though — seafood, organ meats, alcohol, beer, and red meats — your uric acid levels may be too high for your body to eliminate.

As this uric acid circulates through your blood, it starts crystallizing in cooler areas. Since your feet are naturally cooler than the rest of your body due to decreased blood flow, gout tends to affect your toes — especially your big toe — more commonly than other joints.

It’s not just consuming lots of purine-rich foods that increase your risk of gout though. You can also struggle with gout if you:

• Are older or are male
• Are overweight or obese
• Have decreased kidney functions
• Take certain medications, like diuretics for high blood pressure

If left untreated, gout can lead to permanent joint damage and even disfigurement. Before your gout progresses any further, schedule a gout evaluation at Broadway Foot and Ankle Clinic and get started on treatment.

Which symptoms are associated with gout?

Gout sufferers report that agonizing pain attacks tend to stem out of nowhere. You may feel a sudden intense burst of pain in your joint that peaks for several days at a time before discomfort gradually subsides. Gout can also lead to any of the following joint symptoms.

• Redness
• Warmth
• Swelling
• Tenderness

Your gout flare-up can become so severe you start experiencing a limited range of motion in the affected joint. Before your gout gets any worse or before your next gout attack occurs, get started on treatment at Broadway Foot and Ankle Clinic.

How is gout treated?

Treating gout typically begins with getting your current pain under control, then working to minimize inflammation and decrease your uric acid levels. Your gout treatment plan from Broadway Foot and Ankle Clinic may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Oral or injected corticosteroid medications
• Uric acid-reducing drugs

You will be counseled on lifestyle changes to minimize ongoing gout issues. Getting to a healthy weight, avoiding purine-rich foods, cutting back on alcohol consumption, and drinking plenty of water can all help prevent further gout attacks.

Get relief from gout pain by starting your personalized treatment plan at Broadway Foot and Ankle Clinic right away. Request to schedule your gout exam either online or over the phone today.