Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
May 8, 2019
Gout is one of those ailments you hear a lot about as you age. It is a very common form of arthritis, and it’s not picky about who it attacks. Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the affected joints and it most often attacks the big toe joint. Gout will often flare up in the middle of the night and cause men and women to writhe from the sudden pain. Many of Dr. Verville’s patients describe the pain as a feeling that their toe is on fire. Other symptoms may include:
- The skin is warm to the touch
- Lingering discomfort in the affected joint
- Swelling and redness at the site of the pain
- Limited range of motion in the affected joint
How To Manage Gout Pain
Gout can attack anyone in Frisco. And it’s no joke – gout is painful, and even the slightest touch can be unbearable. While most gout symptoms come and go, Dr. Verville wants her patients to be well-informed on how they can avoid flare-ups and manage their pain:
- Reduce your red meat intake – We know this is tough to swallow for all the meat-lovers out there, but the first thing you should do if you’re experiencing gout is to reduce or eliminate your red meat intake. Red meat is one thing that increases uric acid. The reason is that red meat contains purines, which are a natural substance found in some foods and in the human body. Too much purine intake causes a buildup of uric acid in the body, which can lead to gout.
- Lower your alcohol consumption – Alcohol is another thing that can inhibit your body’s ability to get rid of uric acid, which can cause gout attacks. Check with Dr. Verville about whether you should eliminate alcohol or just reduce your intake.
- Avoid food with high-fructose corn syrup – According to the Mayo Clinic, fructose can increase uric acid. High-fructose corn syrup is found in many different types of food and is used in most beverages. Be sure to check food labels to know what you’re consuming before you make a decision to purchase.
- Apply ice to the inflamed joint – Ice application to the affected joint will help ease pain and inflammation. Ice for 20-30 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Drink plenty of fluids – It is very important for Frisco gout sufferers to stay well hydrated during a flare-up. Fluids help flush the body of uric acid. Dr. Verville recommends her patients drink 8-16 cups of fluids a day, focusing on water as the primary source of fluid.
- Elevate your foot – When you are experiencing gout pain, keep your foot elevated with pillows so that it is higher than your chest. Do this as much as possible to help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Dr. Verville Is Here For You
With over 10 years of experiencing providing Frisco men and women with foot and ankle relief, Dr. Verville knows just what to do to help you with your specific pain or problem area. She and her staff at RNV Podiatry stand ready to welcome you into their practice and provide you with high-quality, friendly care.
Call her office in Frisco today at (214) 385-8822 to schedule an appointment.
