When people learn that gout is a form of arthritis that usually only attacks the small joints in the big toe, they incorrectly assume that the condition isn’t serious. However, for the more than 9 million adults in the United States who have gout, they can attest otherwise. Unfortunately, gout leads to painful flare-ups that can put your life on hold.
One-quarter of adults in the US have some form of arthritis, and gout accounts for its fair share.
While there’s no cure for arthritis, there is a bright spot when it comes to gout — you can avoid flare-ups through proper management.
As foot health experts, we know that gout falls under our area of expertise since it tends to target the feet. In this role, our team at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle has learned a few things along the way about managing gout, and we want to share some key findings here.
Let’s first quickly review what we’re up against when dealing with gout.
Technically, gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up inside a joint. This uric acid can form sharp crystals inside the joint that lead to pain and inflammation. The flare-ups are often debilitating, as even the slightest pressure on the inflamed joint can lead to excruciating pain.
As we mentioned, gout tends to attack your big toe. However, it can also occur in other joints, such as your:
Interestingly, gout tends to affect men far more than women. In fact, men are 3 times more likely to have gout than women.
If you have gout, it doesn’t take long to figure out that avoiding painful flare-ups is the best way to manage the disease.
To do this, we must consider the uric acid buildup in your joints. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — a chemical found in certain foods. So, it makes sense to limit the foods that contain higher levels of purine, including:
If you steer clear of these foods and drinks, you can avoid uric acid buildup in your bloodstream. We can also prescribe medications that can help control uric acid levels in your body. However, these medications shouldn’t be viewed as a substitute for dietary changes.
While tweaking your diet can certainly help prevent gout flare ups, these painful episodes can still occur despite your efforts.
Gout flare-ups usually develop during the night — the throbbing pain in your big toe often wakes you up. The moment a flare-up starts, it’s important to intervene quickly. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help. However, we can also prescribe stronger medications, which you should take within the first 24 hours of a gout flare-up.
Cold compresses can also help. We also suggest elevating the affected joint. Lastly, drink plenty of water during a gout flare-up to help flush the uric acid from your body.
Clearly, gout is a form of arthritis that’s within your control to manage if you lay the right groundwork. We’re here to help with that, and we can provide the tools you need to keep a flare-up at bay.
To learn more about gout. Please contact one of our 13 locations in Tennessee to schedule an appointment with our foot health experts.
