Gout is a medical condition that is regarded as a form of arthritis. Common symptoms for gout include severe pain discomfort around the joints of the big toe.
Sometimes the pain can be so severe that that it makes it difficult for the affected person to carry with their daily activities.
Gout may start due to elevated uric acid levels in the blood – usually brought by high purine levels. This may occur because of genetic factors and eating of foods such as red meat, shellfish, and excessive drinking of alcohol.
Another common cause of Gout is obesity or people suffering from chronic kidney disease. Medical experts recommend healthy eating habits in order to prevent and avert gout attacks.
But if you experience a gout attack or any signs associated with it, it is better good to contact a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, some people take too long before they decide to visit a doctor.
Gout can cause a lot of discomfort especially when it reaches an advanced stage. The good news is that gout is a treatable condition. The earlier you seek treatment, the more chances of the condition being treated.
What is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that usually manifests in form of extremely painful attacks, tenderness in joints, and redness.
Gout normally attacks the joint right at the base of the big toe. Gout attacks may happen at any time. It can happen during the day or at night while you are sleeping.
How will you know if it is a gout attack?
There are several signs and symptoms of the gut condition. Here are some of the signs and symptoms:
• Extreme pain at the joint: The pain usually affects the pain of the big toe on your foot and is extreme for the first four or 12 hours of the attack.
• Redness and inflammation: The affected joints will normally swell, appear tender, red, and warm
• Lingering discomfort: discomfort at the joints may last up to several weeks
• Limited range of motion: a patient is also likely to experience a reduction in joint mobility
Risk factors
Diet
Excessive drinking of alcohol, eating of red meat and seafood increases the levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a known cause of gout.
Obesity
People who are overweight produce a lot of uric acid. The kidneys will have a hard time eliminating uric acid.
Underlying medical conditions
There are certain diseases and medical conditions that increase the chances of gout attacks. These include uncontrolled high blood pressure and chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart diseases.
Genetic/family history
If any member of your family suffers from gout, there are high chances that you will also have it.
Age and sex
Gout is more common in men than in women. This is because men usually have higher levels of uric acid compared to women. However, the level of uric acid in women increases almost the same as that of men after they reach menopause.