We help people who are suffering from foot pain to feel better and regain their mobility. One of the common causes of foot pain is gout. This is a condition that can impact anyone. In spite of how common it is, most people are unaware of what causes gout, what gout is and how to treat it.
Most patients will visit their general physician to discuss this issue. While they can help, they do not offer specialized treatments for foot pain that we do.
Gout is a condition where uric acid crystallizes in the body and the acid deposits in the joints. It usually affects the feet and specifically, the big toe. Patients visit our office when suffering from gout after they notice the swelling and pain in their feet and toes.
The kidneys are responsible for flushing uric acid out of the body. Sometimes, the kidney does not do a good enough job of this and the uric acid builds up, causing gout. Diet can be partially to blame. People who eat a diet that is high in purines are more likely to develop gout. These foods could include shellfish, bacon, liver, veal, trout, alcohol and more.
Also, people with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing gout. If a person with diabetes also has problems with their feet, it is critical to visit our office for an examination. Persistent foot pain, sores and swelling are all causes for concern if a person has diabetes since people can lose their feet if they are not careful.
The treatment plan will be based on the severity of gout and also what a patient responds well to. While anti-inflammatory medications will help to alleviate some of the pain, that is not enough. Patients will typically use ice packs as well to further reduce the swelling and discomfort.
Prescription medications can help prevent the attacks. Also, we may recommend dietary changes and specific exercises. For example, drinking plain cherry juice can help to flush out uric acid. Patients may also want to eat or drink:
It is also critical that anyone who is suffering from gout make a point to drink a lot of water to flush out the uric acid.
We help patients who are suffering from foot pain on a daily basis. Whether that pain is a result of gout, an accident or injury, we are the right provider to treat any issue related to the feet. Since we focus on foot health, we offer patients significantly more treatment options than they will find with a general physician.
This allows us to make recommendations above and beyond what a family doctor can and also to combine treatment solutions for the most effective results. So, if you are living with gout and tired of being in pain, visit us for help.
