You are minding your own business, sleeping peacefully when all of a sudden you wake with intense pain. Your foot is throbbing and you don’t know why. The ache is so painful that you can’t do much else but lay there waiting for it to pass. What is this pain? It could be a serious case of gout.

Cause

Initially, gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the blood. This acid is produced when purines are broken down in the body. Meat, poultry, alcohol, and seafood all have high amounts of purines naturally. So, if your diet consists mainly of red meats, fish and alcohol, it is more likely that you will develop gout.

In a body that is efficient in the breakdown of uric acid, it is excreted from the body naturally through urination. If too much of this acid is produced and not passed, it can begin to build up and crystallize in the kidneys and other places in the body. Commonly, it crystallizes in the joint of the big toe, causing gout.

The Risk Factors

• Age and gender are risk factors for Men typically produce more uric acid than women, but after menopause women’s levels of uric acid rise closer to those of men.
• Genetics can also be a risk factor for If you have a family history of gout, it is more likely that you will suffer from gout later on.
• Your lifestyle choices also affect your risk of getting gout. If you drink alcohol this will interfere with the removal of uric acid from the body. Eating foods high in purine will also have negative consequences.
• Medicines that you regularly take can also put you more at risk for gout. Certain medications can increase uric acid levels leading to gout.
• Your weight can also affect your risk of getting gout. Those who are overweight have more tissue for uric acid to work through before leaving the body.

Gout is a painful foot condition that can affect anyone. If you start to experience symptoms of gout you should see a podiatrist immediately. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Payel Ghosh, and their staff will help you diagnose and treat your gout. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.