Warning: Be on the Lookout for Gout
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we know our nature coast patients are looking forward to the holiday season and celebrating with family and friends. Part of those celebrations will be enjoying some festive feasting which means we expect to see more cases of gout in the upcoming weeks.
The Food/Gout Connection
What does food have to do with gout? Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs due to too much uric acid building up in your body. When the uric acid crystallizes in a joint, it causes severe pain and inflammation. The big toe is the most common gout site because uric acid crystalizes more quickly in cold temperatures. Being the part of the body farthest from the heart, your feet are the coldest and, therefore, most often affected. Your body may produce too much uric acid or have trouble eliminating it or both. Uric acid is also the byproduct of the breakdown of purines, chemicals found in many foods that tend to find their way to holiday tables. These include red meat, shellfish, rich sauces, organ meats, red wine, brandy beer, etc.
Other Potential Triggers
Gout can be an inherited tendency. Other risk factors include:
High blood pressure
Obesity
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Stress
Certain medications and vitamins
Men aged 40 to 60 years are the ones who are most likely to get gout, but it can occur in women and younger men as well.
Signs of a Gout Attack
Chances are if you’ve ever suffered from gout, you remember it vividly. It often happens in the middle of the night, waking the victim from a sound sleep with terrible throbbing pain in the big toe. The toe will also be red and swollen and may feel hot to the touch.
If this happens to you, contact our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 to see our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales as soon as possible. The foot doctor will examine your foot and perform the necessary tests to rule out other potential disorders. If gout is diagnosed the foot doctor may treat it with a combination of rest, medication and modifications to your diet.