Like other forms of arthritis, gout can also cause a lot of pain and discomfort. If you are wondering if you have the condition, you should try looking at your feet. A lot of people who have the condition actually have gout foot problems.

Gout Foot

Gout can develop if there is too much uric acid in the body or if too little is eliminated. The excess uric acid can become urate crystals that collect in the joint areas. Gout can affect many joints in the body but people most often notice gout foot problems first. Gout foot pain and symptoms often appear first on the big toe. The toe may feel painful and begin to swell. The swollen state of the toe can also sometimes alter the color of the toe skin.

Sometimes, there is little warning of a coming gout foot attack. One may wake up in the middle of the night with preliminary gout pain sensations.
Gout foot swelling and pain are not limited to the toe. Some individuals also suffer from pain and inflammation that encompass the entire foot and even the ankle. When this happens, movement may become limited and difficult. Shoe sizes may also necessarily change.

People at Risk

Men who are older than 40 seem to be more prone to gout foot problems than women. Females however can have this condition too, especially those who are past he menopausal stage. Even if a person is within the age of risk, he may still be at lesser risk than others if he is not a heavy alcohol drinker, is within the recommended weight range and does not eat foods high in purines.

Seeing a Specialist

Gout foot conditions can easily be diagnosed by a doctor. If you are not sure about your condition and which doctor to approach, you should at leas ask your general practitioner or family doctor to recommend a specialist for you.

It is very important to seek the advice of a doctor first before attempting to medicate a gout foot condition. Different people may require different forms of treatment. Not every kind of remedy and self-care method will be beneficial. Sometimes, being ignorant about what should or shouldn’t be done can make the condition worse.

Untreated or mistreated gout foot problems could lead to painful recurrences of symptoms. Urate crystals could also increasingly collect around the joints, bone and skin resulting in tophi. At the least, tophi could change the appearance of the affected area. At the worst, tophi could be the initial sign that too much uric acid may begin destroying the bones.

Taking Care

Aside from taking the advice of your doctor about medication and diet, you should also ask about proper self-care methods. For some people, using an ice compress for a gout foot condition may help alleviate the pain. It may also help to refrain from too much walking or straining of the feet. If you absolutely must walk, then it would be good to use comfortable, soft and breathable footwear. Elevating your feet when resting can help ease the pressure on your feet.

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Gout Cures – Tip #1

One of the best ways to prevent gout, and other dietary related condition, is to eat a healthy diet. If you get any early symptoms of an initial gout attack you should immediately consider having a change of lifestyle, because the attacks will only get more frequent and more severe until you remove the causes of gout from your diet.

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Gout Cures – Tip #2

In addition to using proper medication, and some natural remedies, you can also help reduce the incidence of gout attacks through a couple of good habits. High-risk individuals are usually advised to maintain their proper weight to avoid gout. This is a gout treatment that relies much on your ability to discipline yourself.

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Gout Cures – Tip #3

Along with offering valuable information, online support groups also provide gout sufferers with emotional assistance. Some patients who suffer from the pain of gout may benefit from the inspiring stories of people who are successfully living and dealing with gout.

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