An estimated 9.2 million Americans live with gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid buildup. Flare-ups — also called gout attacks — can strike without warning, waking you up in the middle of the night with intense pain and swelling.
Fortunately, gout is highly manageable with a combination of medication, diet, and lifestyle changes. Our team at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center provides the comprehensive guidance and care you need to effectively manage symptoms and protect your long-term joint health.
You don’t have to wait for the next attack to take action. Here, we explain what you can do to prevent a gout flare-up and the best way to respond when symptoms do occur.
Gout develops when excess uric acid forms sharp, needle-like crystals within joints — most commonly the big toe, or first metatarsophalangeal joint. Your body produces uric acid as it breaks down compounds called purines, which are found in many foods and beverages.
While the kidneys typically filter uric acid out of your system, levels can become too high if your body produces too much or fails to remove it from your blood fast enough. Genetics often play a role in how you process these compounds, as well as underlying health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Consistently managing your uric acid levels helps keep painful crystals from forming in the first place. Here’s how you can lower the risk of future flares:
Adjusting your diet is a critical first step. Limit high-purine foods — such as red meat, organ meats, and certain types of shellfish — while incorporating more low-fat dairy and complex carbohydrates into your daily meals.
Carrying extra weight can make it harder for your kidneys to eliminate uric acid and may even cause your body to produce more of it. Making time for regular, low-impact exercise helps improve your metabolic function and takes unnecessary pressure off of sensitive joints.
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out waste products like uric acid more efficiently. It’s also helpful to limit alcohol — especially beer, which is high in purines and may cause your body to retain uric acid.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, we may recommend daily medications to keep your uric acid levels low.
Even with the most diligent preventive routine, breakthrough flare-ups can still happen occasionally. When a gout attack strikes, take these steps to ease your symptoms and get back on your feet as quickly as possible:
Home care can help manage immediate symptoms, but contact a podiatrist if this is your first flare-up or if your attacks are becoming more frequent or severe. Professional intervention is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and ensure the pain isn’t due to an infection or another form of arthritis.
Without proper treatment, chronic uric acid buildup can cause permanent joint damage, deformity, and the formation of tophi — hard, painful lumps under the skin that may require surgery to remove.
If you’re struggling with gout, schedule a consultation with our podiatry team to develop a long-term plan that protects your comfort and mobility. Contact Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center today for quality podiatric care in Phoenix and Maricopa, Arizona.
