Gout

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Gout is a painful type of arthritis that most often affects the joints in your big toe. Should you experience these symptoms, you can rely on the podiatry specialists at Caring Podiatry in Neptune and Monroe Township, New Jersey, with excellent results. Reach out for help now by calling the office nearest you or clicking the online appointment maker.

  • Gout is a complex form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in your blood. It’s characterized by sudden, intense attacks of swelling, pain, and tenderness in the joints. While gout can affect any joint in your body, it’s most common at the base of one or both big toes.

    Gout attacks occur suddenly and with very little warning. These attacks are especially common at night when you’re sleeping. Eating certain foods can cause your gout to flare up, but with proper management, it’s possible to keep your symptoms under control.

  • Gout affects everyone differently. Its symptoms depend on its severity and location. Telltale signs of gout include:

    • Intense joint pain
    • Redness
    • Swelling
    • Limited range of motion

    If you have gout, you also might experience periods of lingering discomfort. After a gout attack subsides, it’s normal to experience some pain and swelling for days or even weeks at a time. As gout gets worse, you’re risk of lengthier, more powerful attacks increases.

  • Gout affects people of all ages, races, and genders, but there are factors that can increase your risk, including:

    • Eating a diet rich in meat
    • Being overweight
    • Taking certain diuretics
    • Being a man
    • Regularly consuming alcohol

    You’re also more likely to suffer from gout if the condition runs in your family. If your parents or grandparents had gout, you’re more likely to experience it as well.

  • To diagnose gout, your Caring Podiatry provider physically examines your feet, toes, and ankles, asks you questions about your symptoms, and reviews your medical history. If these measures don’t provide enough insight, your provider might also order a joint fluid test, a blood test, or a series of X-rays to get a closer look at the bones and joints in your feet.

  • The team at Caring Podiatry usually recommends conservative measures to treat gout. If your symptoms are mild, you might benefit from lifestyle changes such as limiting alcoholic beverages, exercising regularly, and losing weight.

    If your symptoms persist or get worse, your podiatrist might recommend prescription medications. There are medications that block uric acid production and medications that help your body remove uric acid from your bloodstream.

    Following an exam and review of your medical history, your Caring Podiatry provider can make recommendations that align with your individual needs.

    Don’t let gout pain prevent you from living a healthy, active lifestyle. Request your gout consultation at Caring Podiatry today by calling the office nearest you or clicking the online booking tool.