If you’re worried about pain throughout your toes, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re going to look at everything to know about signs of gout in feet, from the symptoms, to who is most likely to be predisposed to gout.
Gout is a unique form of arthritis that’s caused by the buildup of a substance called “uric acid” crystals within your joints. Usually, uric acid begins to develop as a result of the breaking down of certain foods that we eat. An abnormality in the ability to handle uric acid can cause painful kidney stones, arthritis, and even blockages within the kidney filtering tubes too. Gout his actually one of the most well recorded problems within the annals of history.
Understanding the Problem of Gout: Symptoms and Signs:
When it comes to looking at everything to know about the signs of gout in feet, the first thing you should know is how to pinpoint the symptoms and signs of gout. Gout can appear in the form of either acute or chronic attacks. While acute attacks are characterized by the rapid onset of discomfort and pain within the foot, followed by swelling and warmth, chronic attacks can persist with discoloration and pain for much longer.
Usually, the most common place a person will experience a gout attack is within the base of the big toe. Other joints that are sometimes affected by gout are the knees, ankles, wrists, fingers, elbows, and more. Some people find that the pain is so acute and intense that even something as simple as a bedsheet touching their toe can cause them severe amounts of pain. In many cases, acute attacks of gout will subside within a few days. Unfortunately, some people suffering from chronic cases of gout will have the problem last for weeks, and may come back numerous times throughout the years.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Gout?
If you want an insight into everything to know about signs of gout in feet, then it’s worth figuring out if you’re likely to be at risk of suffering from this condition or not. The likelihood of a person getting gout in America has risen significantly in the last two decades, and today it affects more than 4% of all Americans. That’s more than eight million people.
Importantly, it may be worth noting that gout is most common in men, and the chance that you’ll get this condition will become more significant as you get older. Women usually have gout attacks after menopause, but the problem can happen at any time during your life. If you have particularly high levels of uric acid in your system, then gout attacks are more likely.
Preventing Gout Attacks:
The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce your risk of having gout attacks. For instance, getting plenty of fluid into your system can help to prevent acute problems with gout and reduce your risk of kidney stone formation too. Additionally, alcohol has been known to have diuretic effects, which means that it contributes to dehydration and can make gout worse. If you suffer from gout, then it’s generally a good idea to stay away from alcohol whenever possible.
