Got Gout? The Holiday Season Can Trigger Painful Toes

For those people who have experienced a gout attack in the past, or have a family member who has had this condition before, you know how painful and miserable it can be. The holiday season can also be a time which gout attacks can be triggered, and Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season is just a few weeks away….So what is gout exactly? And how can I prevent it from happening to me, or someone I care about?

Gout is a disorder that results from the build-up of uric acid crystals in tissues or a joint. It most often affects the joint of the big toe, because the toe is the coolest part of the body and uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes. However, other joints of the body can also be affected.

Changes in diet, including overindulging in certain foods and beverages, can cause gout attacks this time of year because often holiday foods and drinks can often be rich in purines. Foods and drinks that are high in purines contribute to uric acid build-up. Purines are converted to uric acid in the body.

Symptoms of A Gout Attack:

• Intense pain that comes on suddenly – often in the middle of the night or upon rising in the morning
• Signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, and warmth over the joint.
• Very painful to touch, even light touch like the weight of bed sheets

How is Gout Diagnosed by Your Podiatrist?

• Personal and family medical history
• Examination of the affected joint
• Laboratory tests to check inflammation and uric acid levels
• X-rays are ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout

How Can You Avoid A Gout Attack?

• Avoid purine-rich items such as shellfish (shrimp, crab, etc.), organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red meat, red wine and beer and alcohol.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids each day, while also avoiding alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration.

How Do You Treat A Gout Attack?

• Pain and inflammation can be treated with Prescription medications (like Indocin, Colchicine, or steroids) or by injections of steroids.
• Long term uric acid build up can be controlled by Prescription medications such as Allopurinol or Uloric
• Dietary changes: avoiding food high in purines (purines are converted to uric acids in the body)
• Increasing consumption of appropriate fluids
• Immobilizing the foot to avoid movement of the painful joint, and elevation to help reduce swelling
• In some cases surgery is required to remove the uric acid crystals and repair the joint.

The symptoms of gout and the inflammatory process usually resolve in 3-10 days with treatment. If gout symptoms continue despite the initial treatment, or if repeated attacks occur, treatment with a maintenance medication daily may be needed. In cases of repeated episodes, the underlying problem must be addressed, as the build-up of uric acid over time can cause arthritic damage to the joint.

So, the take-home message is….Enjoy the Holidays and the food and drink that comes with this festive time of year. But if you have a history of gout, remember to enjoy in moderation, otherwise this time of year may not be so festive for you!

Happy Holidays!!