Could You Have Gout?
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle we know that if you’ve experienced a gout attack in the past, chances are you will recognize it again in the future. Excruciating pain in your big toe joint that often occurs in the middle of the night, along with redness, swelling and warmth surrounding the joint make it a condition that is difficult to forget! If this sounds like something that has happened to you recently, it’s important that you contact our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office for an appointment as soon as possible. Our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, will examine your feet and take your medical history. In addition, the foot doctor may order an x-ray of your toe and laboratory tests to rule out other possible causes of joint inflammation.
Treatment and Prevention
Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid in your body. Cooler temperatures cause uric acid to crystallize. Your toes being the farthest from your heart make them the most likely location for gout. Gout can have several different sources:
Obesity
High blood pressure
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Stress
Some vitamins and medications
Another major source of gout can come from your diet. Foods high in a substance called purines have uric acid as a byproduct when they break down in your body. These foods include red meat, red wine, shellfish, brandy, organ meats, and rich sauces. The podiatrist will likely ask you what you ate in the hours before your gout attack. You may discover that one or more of these foods are triggers for gout for you and need to avoid them in the future. Other ways of reducing the risk of future gout attacks are taking medication, drinking lots of water to flush uric acid from your body and limiting the amount of alcohol you consume.
If you have concerns about gout, contact us today.