Gout
Gout Specialists
If you’re dealing with sudden, intense joint pain—especially in your big toe—you may be experiencing gout, a painful condition caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in your joints. At Eastside Podiatry PLLC, we understand how disruptive gout can be to your life, and our specialists are here to help diagnose the cause, provide effective treatment, and guide you toward lasting relief.
Gout Q & A
What Is Gout?
Gout is a painful joint condition caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals. It often targets the big toe, making it difficult to walk or even sleep when a flare-up strikes.
Causes
Gout attacks are caused by deposits of crystallized uric acid in the joint. Uric acid is present in the blood and eliminated in the urine, but in people who have gout, uric acid accumulates and crystallizes in the joints. Uric acid is the result of the breakdown of purines, chemicals found naturally in our bodies and in food. Some people develop gout because their kidneys have difficulty eliminating normal amounts of uric acid, while others produce too much uric acid.
Gout usually shows up in the big toe because uric acid crystals form more easily in cooler areas of the body. Since your toes are farthest from the heart, and tend to stay cooler — they’re often the first place gout pain appears.
You may be more likely to develop gout if it runs in your family, or if you have health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. Surgery, stress, chemotherapy, and even certain medications (like aspirin or diuretics) can also trigger flare-ups. For example, the body’s ability to remove uric acid can be negatively affected by taking aspirin, some diuretic medications (“water pills”) and the vitamin niacin (also called nicotinic acid). While gout is more common in men aged 40 to 60 years, it can occur in younger men as well as in women.
Consuming foods and beverages that contain high levels of purines can trigger an attack of gout. Some foods contain more purines than others and have been associated with an increase of uric acid, which leads to gout. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting a gout attack by limiting or avoiding shellfish, organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red wine, beer and red meat.
Symptoms
Gout flare-ups can feel unbearable. Watch for these common symptoms:
- Intense pain that comes on suddenly, often in the middle of the night or upon arising
- Signs of inflammation, such as redness, swelling and warmth over the joint
Diagnosis
To confirm gout, your podiatrist will review your medical history, examine the joint, and may order lab tests or X-rays to rule out other causes of inflammation. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout.
Treatment
Initial treatment of an attack of gout typically includes the following:
- Medications.
- Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling and inflammation.
- Dietary restrictions.
- Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid.
Fluids. - Drink plenty of water and other fluids each day, while also avoiding alcoholic beverages, which cause dehydration.
- Immobilize and elevate the foot.
- Avoid standing and walking to give your foot a rest. Also, elevate your foot (level with or slightly above the heart) to help reduce swelling.
With proper care, most gout flare-ups improve within 3–10 days. If your symptoms last longer or keep coming back, your doctor may recommend ongoing treatment to prevent future attacks. If gout symptoms continue despite the initial treatment, or if repeated attacks occur, see your primary care physician for maintenance treatment that may involve daily medication. Don’t let gout keep disrupting your life. If flare-ups keep coming back, it’s important to treat the root cause before it causes lasting joint damage.
Faq...
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). This can result from:
– Diets high in purines (e.g., red meat, seafood, alcohol)
– Dehydration
– Kidney dysfunction
– Genetics or certain medications.
Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and manage gout, especially when it affects the feet. They can:
– Differentiate gout from other foot conditions
– Prescribe anti-inflammatory medications
– Recommend footwear modifications or orthotics
– Provide guidance on lifestyle and dietary changes
– Collaborate with other specialists for long-term management
Diagnosis typically involves:
– Physical examination
– Blood tests to measure uric acid levels
– Joint fluid analysis to detect urate crystals
– Imaging (e.g., X-rays or ultrasound) to assess joint damage
– NSAIDs or corticosteroids for acute pain relief
– Colchicine to reduce inflammation
– Uric acid-lowering medications (e.g., allopurinol)
– Lifestyle changes including hydration, weight management, and dietary adjustments