Like other forms of arthritis, gout can also cause a lot
of pain and discomfort. If you are wondering if you have the condition, you
should try looking at your feet. A lot of people who have the condition actually
have gout foot problems.
Gout Foot
Gout can develop if there is too much uric acid in the
body or if too little is eliminated. The excess uric acid can become urate
crystals that collect in the joint areas. Gout can affect many joints in the
body but people most often notice gout foot problems first. Gout foot pain and
symptoms often appear first on the big toe. The toe may feel painful and begin
to swell. The swollen state of the toe can also sometimes alter the color of the
toe skin.
Sometimes, there is little warning of a coming gout foot
attack. One may wake up in the middle of the night with preliminary gout pain
sensations.
Gout foot swelling and pain are not limited to the toe. Some
individuals also suffer from pain and inflammation that encompass the entire
foot and even the ankle. When this happens, movement may become limited and
difficult. Shoe sizes may also necessarily change.
People at Risk
Men who are older than 40 seem to be more prone to gout
foot problems than women. Females however can have this condition too,
especially those who are past he menopausal stage. Even if a person is within
the age of risk, he may still be at lesser risk than others if he is not a heavy
alcohol drinker, is within the recommended weight range and does not eat foods
high in purines.
Seeing a Specialist
Gout foot conditions can easily be diagnosed by a
doctor. If you are not sure about your condition and which doctor to approach,
you should at leas ask your general practitioner or family doctor to recommend a
specialist for you.
It is very important to seek the advice of a doctor
first before attempting to medicate a gout foot condition. Different people may
require different forms of treatment. Not every kind of remedy and self-care
method will be beneficial. Sometimes, being ignorant about what should or
shouldn’t be done can make the condition worse.
Untreated or mistreated gout foot problems could lead to
painful recurrences of symptoms. Urate crystals could also increasingly collect
around the joints, bone and skin resulting in tophi. At the least, tophi could
change the appearance of the affected area. At the worst, tophi could be the
initial sign that too much uric acid may begin destroying the bones.
Taking Care
Aside from taking the advice of your doctor about
medication and diet, you should also ask about proper self-care methods. For
some people, using an ice compress for a gout foot condition may help alleviate
the pain. It may also help to refrain from too much walking or straining of the
feet. If you absolutely must walk, then it would be good to use comfortable,
soft and breathable footwear. Elevating your feet when resting can help ease the
pressure on your feet.
