Health

Gout – The Cause, Diagnosis, and Treatment Method Provided by a Podiatrist

Joint pain can be treated with home remedies, but an individual should know what gout is. This will help them to treat the problem accordingly. This cannot be identified on your own unless you don’t visit a podiatrist. A podiatrist can help in identifying the root cause and can also provide correct medication as well as treatment methods that will help a patient in pain to get immense relief from gout.

Dr. Sima Soltani Podiatry Office in Irvine is known to provide the best line of treatment to patients suffering from gout. In their 20 years of career, they have given many patients the best treatment, which can alleviate the possibility of surgery. Whether it is laser therapy or stem cell therapy, Dr. Sima Soltani has treated patients with foot and ankle problems with the best tools and advanced technology.

Therefore, if you have sore feet, thickened or discolored toenails, cracks or wounds in the skin, growth like warts and verruca, scaling or peeling on the soles, or any other foot-related issue, you should see a podiatrist for advice and treatment. Let us learn what is gout and the line of treatment generally provided by podiatrists –

Gout

Gout is an inflammatory condition that can be very painful. Sharp crystals can form in the toe or other joints when your body produces too much acid. This is called gout arthritis attacks, which are a series of swelling and pain. Gout arthritis can be managed with medicine as well as nutritional and lifestyle adjustments.

Gout arthritis is classified as a type of arthritis, which encompasses a wide range of joint illnesses and discomfort. Some inflammatory diseases cause joint inflammation, whereas others do not.  It’s because of a crystal known as acid.

Gout causes swelling and pain in one or more joints. The huge toe is generally affected. However, it can be found in a variety of joints, like gout in ball of foot, ankle, knee, foot, wrist, hand, and elbow.

Who is Affected by Gout?

  • Women with menopause and high uric acid level
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Family history
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Kidney disease

Diagnosis

  • Podiatrists check symptoms and ask patients to describe them.
  • Physical examination is conducted to examine the painful joints.
  • Blood test is prescribed to check the uric acid level.
  • X-rays are suggested to check images of joints.
  • Fluid is extracted from joints through the needle. This is done to check the number of uric acid crystals.

Treatment

  • Your podiatrist will prescribe a few pain reliefs and ointments that will reduce inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • They will also prescribe lifestyle changes by including walking, exercise, etc.
  • Above all, they will eliminate all food items that increase uric acid in the human body. This will help in controlling the uric acid crystals in joints, which will further reduce pain.

If you have a foot problem that is making it difficult to walk, then it is time to check with a podiatrist. Gout should not be ignored and proper care should be taken once diagnosed.