What’s The Deal with Gout?

Have no clue what gout is? You’re not alone! Gout may not be a foot condition most people have heard of, but it affects over 3 million Americans a year and sure does pack a punch when it shows up. This painful form of arthritis often affects the big toe joint but can show up in other joints, as well. Since how we eat plays a significant role in developing gout, we want to help educate our patients on this condition now that the holidays are here!

Where Does It Come From?

Gout happens when your body has elevated levels of uric acid, which is a naturally occurring chemical in your body but also shows up in some of the foods we eat. When your body has too much uric acid, it crystallizes in your joints, bloodstream, and tissues. These crystals are sharp and can end up creating problems for our joints.

What Foods Produce Uric Acid?

When it comes to gout, foods high in purines do the most damage. Here’s a list of some of the foods and beverages you should avoid:

• Red meat

• Organ meats

• Certain seafood, like anchovies, tuna, trout, muscles, scallops, and sardines

• Beer

• Red wine

• Drinks and foods high in fructose sugar

Other Risk Factors

The trouble with gout is that almost anyone can get it. But some people are at a higher risk than others. Being male, obese, and having certain health conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure can lead to gout. Manage this by watching what you eat, consuming less alcohol and more water, and staying active.

Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.