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Podiatrist - Cromwell
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Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for tag: Gout Treatments

December 28, 2021
Category: Foot conditions

A disorder at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we see more frequently in our Middlesex County patients at this time of the year is gout. Colder temperatures and festive feasting are partly to blame. That’s because this arthritic condition can be triggered by some foods that are popular during the holidays. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up to excessive levels. If the kidneys do not eliminate it, it can crystalize in one or more joints. It is more likely to crystalize under cold conditions, and that is why gout typically occurs in the big toe. That being the part of the body farthest away from the heart and therefore the coldest.

Common Gout Triggers

There are several potential causes of gout— you can control some, others you cannot.

The conditions of which you likely do not have control, are:

  • Gender—Men are more likely to get gout than women. This condition most commonly strikes men between the ages of 30-50. Women can get gout, too, however. After menopause, their levels of uric acid increase, which is when they are more likely to experience an attack.
  • Family history—Your risk for gout increases if others in your family have had this disease.
  • Injury, and surgery— These too can be potential triggers for a gout attack.

Gout triggers over which you have some control:

  • Diet—Some foods and beverages contain high levels of purines—a chemical that usually occurs in your body. When purines break down, they produce uric acid, hence why eating purine-high foods can trigger an attack of gout. These foods and beverages include shellfish, red meat, organ meats, rich sauces, legumes, drinks sweetened with fructose, beer, brandy, and red wine. Limiting your intake of these items or eliminating ones directly tied to an attack may reduce the risk of gout in the future.
  • Weight—Being overweight causes your body to produce more uric acid making it difficult for your kidneys to excrete the excess. Another way maintaining a healthy weight benefits your feet.
  • Medical conditions—some diseases and disorders increase your chances of developing gout. These include high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Following your doctor’s treatment instructions for controlling these conditions can help reduce gout risk.
  • Medications—some vitamins and medications can also increase uric acid level. These include anti-rejection drugs given for patients who have had an organ transplant, low-dose aspirin, and some blood pressure medications. You can check with your doctor to see if there are effective alternatives if you are prone to gout.

If you have experienced gout symptoms—excruciating pain in your toe, swelling, redness, and heat surrounding the joint, contact our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499. Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can determine if you have gout and how to manage it best.

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists
December 01, 2020
Category: Foot Care
Tags: Gout Pain   Gout Treatments  

If you’ve recently experienced waking up in the middle of the night with extreme, throbbing pain in the joint at the base of your big toe, you may have had an episode of gout. At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we see more cases of gout during the holiday season. Find out why and other important information about this condition with the facts below.

  • FACT: Gout is an arthritic condition (sometimes known as gouty arthritis). It is a result of uric acid building up and crystallizing in a joint.
  • FACT: Gout can occur in any joint, but the place it most commonly happens is the big toe. It may be because it is farther from the heart and, therefore, lower in temperature, which increases the risk of crystallization. The excessive use and pressure from walking may also play a role.
  • FACT: The people most susceptible to gout are men aged 40 to 60. However, gout can attack men or women at younger ages as well.
  • FACT: Gout can have many sources. Some of these include diabetes and hypertension and chemotherapy, surgery, stress, obesity, and taking certain medications and vitamins.
  • FACT: For many patients, some foods and beverages can trigger a gout attack. These include red meat, shellfish, organ meats, red wine, heavy sauces, brandy, and beer. These items are frequently featured in holiday meals and increased in cases at this time of the year. Patients with a sensitivity to these foods may need to limit or even eliminate them from their diet severely.
  • FACT: There are a few treatment methods available for gout.

Our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, can prescribe medications to help with the flare-up and prevent future attacks. Resting and elevated the affected foot will also be necessary. Drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding known triggers for gout attacks will also be recommended.

If you suspect you may have gout or have additional questions about this condition, contact our Cromwell office today by calling: (860) 632-5499.

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