What could it be?

What Is Gout?
• Too much uric acid in your bloodstream turns into crystal deposits in joints or soft tissues, causing painful inflammation.
• The most common site is the big toe, but fingers, knees and hips can also be affected.

Who Gets Gout?
• Gout is more common in men ages 30 to 45 and women over 55.
• Risk factors for Gout are:
– A family history of Gout
– Taking diuretics, aspirin or cyclosporine
– High blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or some forms of anemia
– Being overweight

When to See Your Doctor or Rheumatologist
• See your doctor if you get a sudden attack with intense pain, swelling, redness and warmth, especially in a big toe.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you have a fever or a sign of infection. People with diabetes are likely to get an infection with Gout.
• Don’t delay – over time, thick deposits can develop and lead to deformities.

Right-Track Treatment
• Your doctor may prescribe allopurinol, which cuts uric acid production, or colchicine to stop white blood cells from attacking crystals.
• Cut calories, especially from fat, and increase daily exercise.

Top Lifestyle Tips
• Drink plenty of water.
• Skip sugary beverages.
• Increase complex carbohydrates and low-fat dairy products.
• Avoid foods high in purines, like turkey, bacon, organ meat, scallops, trout and alcohol, which increase uric acid.

Information source: https://www.healthday.com
For more information on Gout, visit
Healthline.com at https://www.healthline.com/health/gout or call our clinic at 345-949-2970.