By conservative estimates, as many as 8.3 million adults suffer from gout. Since gout can lead to debilitating pain and permanent joint damage, the compassionate podiatrists at United Foot & Ankle, with locations in East Brunswick, Keyport, Perth Amboy, and Bayonne, Somerset, New Jersey, provide integrative treatments. Don’t hesitate another day to book your gout evaluation and get the relief you deserve. You can book an appointment online or over the phone with any location.

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Why do I have gout?

Gout falls under the broad category of arthritic conditions. It’s caused by a surge of uric acid in your body, which you typically pass as waste. When levels get too high, uric acid circulates and hardens in the cooler extremities of your body, especially your ankles and feet.

These uric acid crystals get stuck in your joints, which is why gout is notorious for causing very sudden, sharp pain. Your risk of suffering from gout is higher if you:

  • Are overweight
  • Had a prior joint injury
  • Are regularly dehydrated
  • Have poor kidney function
  • Have diabetes or prediabetes

Gout is also sensitive to your diet. For example, purines in foods and beverages convert into uric acid during digestion. If you consume a lot of purines from beer, red meat, or seafood, to name a few, your uric acid levels may spike.

Lastly, though both men and women struggle with gout, this pain-causing condition is more common among men. Roughly three times as many men develop gout as compared to women.

What are the symptoms of gout?

Gout sufferers explain that when an attack occurs, it comes out of nowhere. Suddenly, you’re left with severe toe, foot, or ankle pain that makes it nearly impossible to walk. Gout is also known for causing joint:

  • Redness
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling

You may also notice that the affected joint is warm to the touch. Although gout tends to peak right at the beginning of an attack and then resolve over the following week or two, it’s important to come in to United Foot & Ankle to get started on treatment. Ongoing gout flare-ups can lead to irreversible joint damage, as well as a lower quality of life.

How is gout treated?

Treating gout typically requires you to learn new dietary habits and to make lifestyle changes to treat and prevent gout attacks. Your podiatrist at United Foot & Ankle might recommend:

  • Reducing or eliminating alcohol
  • Avoiding high-purine foods
  • Drinking more water
  • Losing weight

To help relieve acute pain, your podiatrist at United Foot & Ankle may prescribe medications or recommend corticosteroid injections. For long-term gout prevention and treatment, your podiatrist can prescribe a medication to lower your uric acid levels or make it easier for your kidneys to flush away uric acid.

Click on the online scheduling tool to book your gout evaluation at United Foot & Ankle today. You can also call any clinic to speak with a team member.