All About Gout

Gout is an extremely painful condition that most often affects the joint of the big toe. Gout is an accumulation of uric acid in the tissues or joints. Uric acid is naturally present in the blood and eliminated in the urine but some people’s kidneys have difficulty eliminating uric acid and other people with gout produce too much uric acid. The uric acid crystallizes, particularly in colder temperatures and your big toe is the coolest part of the body because it is the farthest from the heart. When these deposits build up in the big toe joint, a gout attack can occur.

Symptoms

A gout attack is characterized by intense pain in the big toe joint that comes on suddenly and often in the middle of the night. The toe will also feel hot and be swollen and red. Although men ages 40 to 60 are the primary targets of gout, it can affect women and people younger than 40 as well. At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle, our board certified podiatrist, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss, can help you get gout under control.

Diet and Other Factors

Your diet can play a big part in gout attacks. Foods high in purines are linked to an increase in production of uric acid. If you are prone to gout, foods to avoid include red meat, shellfish, rich sauces, brandy, red wine and beer. It is also thought that certain protein dense foods such as lentils and beans may also be a dietary culprit.

Other factors that up the likelihood of gout are: taking certain medications such as diuretics and some vitamins; having high blood pressure or diabetes, being overweight, stress, chemotherapy and surgery.  Symptoms of gout can be relieved by medication, ice and rest.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gout for the first time or are a long-time sufferer, make an appointment for an evaluation at either our Waldorf or Clinton office and find out how you can control this painful condition.