The Causes Of Gout And How To Manage It
Has your big toe ever swelled up and turned red and painful? If yes, then you may have already met the notorious gout. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the bloodstream. Read more below to learn about the causes and how to manage gout.
What Does Uric Acid Do?
Uric acid is made when purines, which are found naturally in the body and some foods, break down. If your uric acid levels get too high, it can crystallize in your joints and cause swelling and a lot of pain. But gout can also happen in the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers. The joints in the big toe are most often affected.
Purine-Rich Foods
To control gout, you need to know which foods are high in purines. Uric acid levels rise when you eat things that are high in purines. It is known that seafood, organ foods (like liver and kidney), red meat, and some veggies are high in purines. These foods can help lower the chance of gout attacks if you eat them in moderation.
Dietary Advice For People With Gout
A gout-friendly diet is often part of managing gout. This means drinking less alcohol and beer, staying hydrated to help flush out extra uric acid, and eating low-fat dairy products, which may help protect against gout. People with gout should also eat fruits, veggies, and whole grains as part of a healthy diet.
Other Things That Can Cause Gout
Gout can be caused by more than just what you eat. Gout tends to run in families, so genes play a part. The risk can also go up if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or take certain medicines. Understanding and dealing with these things can help you come up with a complete plan for controlling gout.
Taking Medications And Managing Your Lifestyle
Besides changing what you eat, you may also be given medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that lower uric acid levels. Changing your lifestyle, like working out regularly, staying at a healthy weight, and dealing with stress, can also help stop gout attacks.
If you think you have gout or have any questions, New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group can help.
At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we are here to address all your foot concerns. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.
