Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause severe pain and swelling in your joints. It happens when too much uric acid builds up in your body, forming tiny crystals that irritate the joints. While gout can be painful, it’s treatable with the right care.
What Causes Gout?
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. This can happen due to:
- Being overweight
- Having high blood pressure or kidney problems
- Eating a lot of red meat, seafood, or sugary drinks
- Drinking too much alcohol, especially beer
- Taking certain medicines, like diuretics
Not everyone with high uric acid levels gets gout, but if the crystals form, they can lead to painful flare-ups.
Signs and Symptoms
Gout usually comes in three stages:
- Gout Attack (Flare): Sudden and intense pain in a joint, often the big toe. The joint may become red, swollen, and warm. Flares usually last a few days to a week and often start at night or early morning.
- Between Attacks (Intercritical Gout): This is the time between gout flares when there are no symptoms. Without treatment, flares may happen more often and affect more joints.
- Advanced Gout (Tophaceous Gout): In this stage, uric acid crystals form lumps called tophi around the joints, bones, and under the skin. These can cause joint damage and make movement harder.
Can Gout Affect Your Kidneys?
Yes. Uric acid crystals can also form in the kidneys, leading to kidney stones. Symptoms include sharp pain in your side or back and trouble urinating. Drinking plenty of water and managing uric acid levels can help prevent this.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Gout?
Doctors can diagnose gout by checking joint fluid under a microscope for uric acid crystals. If this isn’t possible, blood tests and imaging (like X-rays) can help. Doctors will also look for patterns, such as sudden joint pain and high uric acid levels.
How Is Gout Treated?
Gout treatment focuses on stopping pain and preventing future attacks:
- For Painful Flares: Medicines like ibuprofen, colchicine, or steroids can help reduce swelling and pain. It’s important to start treatment as soon as a flare begins.
- Preventing Flares: Long-term medicines can keep uric acid levels low. These include:
- Allopurinol or Febuxostat: To reduce uric acid production.
- Probenecid: To help your body get rid of uric acid.
- Pegloticase: For severe gout when other treatments don’t work.
- Healthy Habits: Eating better, drinking water, staying at a healthy weight, and cutting back on alcohol and rich foods can make a big difference.
Why Treat Gout Early?
If gout isn’t treated, it can lead to serious problems like joint damage, kidney stones, and difficulty moving. Getting help early can stop these issues and keep you feeling your best.
Take Steps Toward Healthy Joints
At Stride Forward Podiatry, we’re here to help you manage gout and keep your joints healthy. Whether you’re dealing with a painful flare or want to prevent future problems, we’ll create a care plan just for you.
Visit strideforwardpodiatry.com to learn more about gout and how to protect your joints. Don’t let gout hold you back—stride forward to better health today!
