Down and Gout

The condition known as “Gout” has been written about and unfortunately suffered from for centuries. Egyptian societies as far back as 2600 B.C. as well as many historical figures such as King Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin, and even Phil Jackson have had experiences with it. The condition has even been noted in various animal species including dinosaur specimens! Traditionally, gout was referred to as “Rich man’s disease” because it was mostly the wealthy who could afford the protein-rich foods which would lead to the onset of symptoms.
Today, gout is still a big problem which tends to affect many older men and post-menopausal women. Some contributing factors include high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, kidney problems, and being overweight. It can also develop as a consequence of other conditions such as blood disorders or organ transplants. But what, exactly, is gout?!
Gout develops as a result of the chemistry in your blood. As various proteins within the body are broken down, their contents need to be excreted. When your body has problems getting rid of all those “protein pieces” an overabundance results, and the body starts to deposit it within joints and other odd places. One of the first and most common places affected is at the ball of your foot, making it hot, red, swollen, and painful. Other areas that can potentially be affected are the Achilles tendon, finger joints, ears, elbows, wrists, knees, and other foot joints. Diets that contain high amounts of meat, seafood, and alcohol (especially beer) can contribute to this process.
The exact course and underlying cause of each specific case is quite variable. Usually, the first attack happens at night and affects a single joint causing extreme tenderness and may even cause skin sloughing. From there, the timing and pattern of involvement is anyone’s guess, but what is known is that the disorder is nearly always progressive and affects more joints with each new flare-up. Eventually, this can lead to permanent deformity and disability.
Thankfully, gout can often be controlled through some proactive and protective measures. If you develop warm, stiff, and tender joints anywhere in your feet, your podiatrist may take a small sample from the joint for examination to confirm the diagnosis. From there, he will probably put you on a regimen of some standard medications aimed to control the underlying causes. Again, this will vary depending on your particular case. You can also do your part by focusing your diet on vegetables and dairy products and trying to avoid an excess of meat, shellfish, and alcohol. Keep in mind that the foot is by far the biggest target of gout, so early diagnosis and prevention is key to maintaining your future mobility and well-being.

Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://www.yourfeetfixer.com