Gout in Foot Treatment
Gout is a painful form of arthritis that causes pain and swelling, typically in the big toe. Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joints. Urate crystals can form when you have high uric acid levels in your blood. High uric acid levels can be due to weight, diet, family history, age, sex, etc. While gout can affect anyone, men can be three times more likely to have gout because they have higher uric acid levels.
With medication along with diet and lifestyle changes, gout is treatable. At West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates, we can provide you with gout in foot treatment. Our Podiatrists will listen to your symptoms, do a physical examination, and in some cases, take bloodwork to determine if you are suffering from gout. If you have an intense pain in your foot that is hot and inflamed, it is best to give us a call as soon as possible as you could have gout.
Treating gout is usually a combination of managing your diet and controlling your symptoms during a flare-up. There are several medications we can suggest to help manage your symptoms, including prescription or over-the-counter medications to reduce the pain, inflammation, and swelling that you feel during a flare. There are other medications available that can help lower your uric acid levels. The specific medications we suggest will depend on your individual case, your risk factors, and any other conditions you might have. You'll need to speak with our specialists to find the right medication for you.
The other part of gout in foot treatment involves modifying your diet to lower your uric acid levels. A low-purine diet is typically the answer for patients with gout. A low-purine diet encourages you to consume fewer foods and drinks that have high purine content, while focusing on some select foods that may reduce your uric acid levels. On a low-purine diet, you'll be encouraged to reduce or eliminate foods and beverages containing high fructose corn syrup, red meats, game meats, turkey, yeast, shellfish, and alcohol (including beer). The best foods for anyone with gout include milk, water, coffee, and cherries. If you eat a wide variety of low-purine meats, diversify your fruit and vegetable intake, and enjoy oat-free whole grains, you could see a decrease in your gout symptoms.
There is no cure for gout, but working with the specialists at West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates can help manage your symptoms so you can enjoy your normal routine again. Our office has worked with patients throughout the Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, Andrews, and Fort Stockton, TX area, so we have seen all kinds of cases and are more than prepared to handle your condition. Reach out today to schedule an appointment!
Gout can appear out of the blue and typically bothers you the most at night. If you have any of the following symptoms, you could have gout:
If left untreated, gout can worsen, causing unbearable pain and joint damage. Don’t suffer from gout any longer; trust our Podiatrists at West Texas Foot & Ankle for assistance. We can talk about different medications that can help relieve the pain and diet and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent and reduce gout attacks.
Contact our foot doctor today to learn more about our gout in foot treatment process and schedule an appointment! We proudly serve patients in Midland, Odessa, Pecos, Andrews, Big Spring, Monahans, TX, and the surrounding communities.
West Texas Foot and Ankle Associates | 432.755.0540 | 432-520-FEET | Toll Free: 866-456-2888
1913 Heritage Blvd., Midland, TX 79707
Serving Midland, Odessa, Andrews, Pecos, Big Spring, Fort Stockton, TX & Surrounding Areas.