Don’t Doubt the Clout of Gout

Gout is not something to be trifled with. It can have serious consequences as it is caused by the buildup of crystals from high levels of uric acid present in your body. This high level of uric acid is generally linked to the types of beverages and foods you digest.

Gout causes pain in your foot’s joints when it isn’t naturally expelled from the body. Because in certain instances it is not taken out from your body naturally, the uric acid buildup causes severe pain and inflammation from the sharp crystals that are produced. The pain can be minor or severe. Alcohol has also been shown to have a causal link with the amount of excess uric acid in the body.

How to treat symptoms of gout

• You must use medications such as anti-inflammatories or cortisone injections to decrease the inflammation in your joints that have been victims of the crystal buildup caused by gout.

• Do what it takes to expel the excess uric acid from your body through medications and diet changes. These diet restrictions may involve lowering the amount of alcohol, soda, and meats that you ingest on a daily basis.

• Try to drink as much water possible to help with expelling excess uric acid from your body.

• Participate in physical therapy to help your body become stronger and perhaps increase the mechanisms that assist with expelling uric acid from your body.

• Lowering your weight can have a very positive effect on your joints as well.

Here at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, our podiatrist, Joel S. Segalman, DPM, understands that you need your joints for many activities and wants to help keep them free of harmful crystals. If you’re experiencing gout and wish to stop it before it gets worse, please contact us to make an appointment! We have two offices conveniently located in Waterbury & Newtown, CT. We want to ensure that you receive the best treatment available and will work with your specific condition to help ensure that your feet and ankles have the best chance of staying healthy for many years to come!