The condition known as gout is a type of arthritis caused by consuming foods and beverages that are high in purines. Purines are related to increased uric acid development in the blood. When uric acid gets too high, it crystallizes into painful shards, with the big toe joint being a favorite site of an attack. The pain can be so bad that even brushing a sheet over the affected toe causes intense pain. You can, however, avoid gout attacks with proper diet and medication.

3 ways to prevent and treat gout problems include the following: 

• Limit or avoid alcohol—Whiskey, bourbon, beer, and wine are known to increase uric acid in the blood. Once the blood concentration reaches a certain level, it’s too late to stop drinking, so best to limit or avoid altogether if you suffer from gout attacks.
• Don’t eat foods that are high in purines—Certain foods, including shrimp and lobster, organ meats, and fatty red meats, contain purines, which contribute to uric acid formation in the blood. Decrease or avoid these acid producers and consume cherry juice and organic apple cider vinegar to decrease acid build-up.
• Medications—For recurring, painful gout attacks, you can take a medication called allopurinol that decreases uric acid concentration in the blood, thereby preventing gout attacks.

If you are experiencing painful gout attacks in your feet or ankles, make an appointment with your foot doctor for the correct care. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.