What is Gout?

Gout is a common type of arthritis characterized by sudden attacks of burning pain, reddening, swelling and warm/heat felt from the affected area. About 50% of gout cases affect the big toe, though it can also affects other joints like the ankle, this areas are a major concern since ankle or heel pain can be debilitating and can affect a patients well being. Gout is a chronic condition and pain can occur on and off without prior warnings or signs. If not properly treated, this can damage joints, tendons and the surrounding tissues.    

The cause of gout is due increased amounts of circulating uric acid in the blood. This blood uric acid overload or hyperurecemia, produces sharp pointy urate crystals that can deposit in the joints and can form into large lumps causing severe pain. The urate crystals can form in other organs as well especially in the kidneys and can lead to kidney stone formation or renal failure due to urate deposits in filtering tubules. 

There are about 5 million Americans affected by gout. Men are nine times more prone to gout than women. In men, attacks of gout start from puberty. In women, it usually starts after menopause.

The risk factors involving gout formation are:

·         Obesity

·         Increase alcohol intake

·         Hypertension

·         Renal or kidney dysfunction

·         Increased intake of purine rich foods (anchovies, canned good, processed meats)

·         Certain medications: diuretics, anti-TB drugs, aspirin

The signs and symptoms of gouty arthritis involve the four classic signs of inflammation: 

·         Calor – warmness or heat felt in the inflamed area

·         Dolor- pain and tenderness

·         Rubor – redness

·         Tumor – swelling

Fever is also a symptom gouty arthritis that usually occurs in acute attacks.

High suspicion of gouty arthritis involves a history of joint pains especially in the toes. Strangely, gout pain always involves one joint at a time as compared to multiple joint pains in other arthritic conditions. Finding urate crystals on joint fluids by needle aspiration is the mainstay for diagnosing gout.

Gout can also be helped by gout supplements particularly those containing wild cherry.

Family Foot and Leg Center in Naples, FL offers holistic approaches on treating gouty arthritis involving the big toe or ankle. Contact Dr. Kevin Lam at (239) 430-3668 for more details.