Painful Gout in Your Feet
If you have symptoms of sudden intense pain in the joints in the feet when you stand up or in the middle of the night, you may have gout. Or maybe you see redness, swelling, and/or feel heat at the joints. Walking might feel like your feet are on fire! Ouch! Gout is a type of arthritis that is generally characterized by a buildup of uric acid in certain joints. In some cases, it can lead to uric acid crystals developing in the joints as well. Without treatment, there are folks who have chronic gout pain that is not easily treatable. Are you likely to be affected by gout? Yes, if you are a man between 40 and 50 years old or a postmenopausal woman. These groups are generally more likely to be affected by gout. Additionally, if you have blood or metabolism disorders, you may produce too much uric acid and your body may not be able to properly eliminate it. If you believe you have symptoms, see your physician as soon as possible. Treatment of Gout
- Control your food, water, and alcohol intake – Some of the most important adjustments you can make to your lifestyle is to watch what you eat, drink more water, and reduce or completely stop drinking alcohol. Shellfish, red meat, sugary drinks, and salty foods can increase the risk of gout attacks. Be sure to watch your nutritional intake and hydrate often to help your body eliminate uric acid.
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – ibuprofen or naproxen can be used as an over-the-counter medication to reduce inflammation and pain in your affected joint.
- Corticosteroids – These prescribed medications can be used to reduce symptoms if NSAIDs and diet control are not very effective at alleviating joint pain.
- Uric Acid control medications – To reduce or eliminate uric acid buildup in the feet, you can use certain prescription medications like allopurinol.
