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Gout

Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). The following risk factors can either cause hyperuricemia or make joints more susceptible to the formation of uric acid crystals.

• Male sex
• Family history of gout
• Obesity
• Moderate, regular, or heavy consumption of alcohol
• A diet rich in meat and seafood, which can be high in purines
• Use of medications that remove salt and water from the body (diuretics)
• Regular use of aspirin (more than 1 and 2 aspirin tablets per day)
• Frequent episodes of dehydration
• Acute illness or infection
• Lead exposure (may occur through work, diet, or hobbies)
• Very low-calorie diets
• Injury to a joint

Gout usually develops after a number of years of buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and surrounding tissues. Symptoms include:

• Warmth, pain, swelling, and extreme tenderness in a joint, usually a big toe joint. This symptom is called podagra.
• Pain that starts during the night and is also so intense that even light pressure from a sheet is intolerable.
• Rapid increase in discomfort, lasting for some hours of the night and then easing during the next 2 to 7 days.
• As the gout attack subsides, the skin around the affected joint may peel and feel itchy.

Diet and Gout

Purines (specific chemical compounds found in some foods) are likely to be broken down in uric acid. A diet rich in purines from certain sources can raise uric acid levels in the body, which sometimes leads to gout. A 2004 study reports that meat and seafood may increase your risk of gout, while dairy products may lower your risk. The study also found that purines in vegetables do not increase the risk of gout.

Foods to limit (very high in purines):

• Beef
• Pork
• Lamb
• Seafood
• Yeast
• Alcoholic beverages, particularly beer
• Bacon

Food to eat occasionally (moderately high in purines, but may not raise your risk or gout):

• Asparagus
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Spinach

Welcome

Welcome to Practice Name, a podiatry practice serving City, State, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Doctor Name offers expert podiatric services.

Podiatrists are doctors trained to treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.

We are committed to patient education, and we hope you will consult the pages available from the left-side navigation bar to find out about our practice and other podiatry resources. Please call us with any questions.