Who You Gonna Call? Gout Busters!!!

So you just got through the first week of “back to school” craziness and BAM you’re struck with a terrible case of GOUT! The onset is sudden, painful and nearly debilitating. How did this happen? What can you do? Keep Reading!

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when uric acid levels in the blood become too high (typically due to dietary intake) and start to crystallize. These crystals typically form in the coldest parts of the body which for most of us overnight is our feet and more specifically our big toe.

Uric acid is the result of the breakdown of purines (chemicals that are found naturally in our bodies and in food). Some people develop gout because their kidneys have difficulty eliminating normal amounts of uric acid, while others produce too much of it.

Gout Symptoms

A gout attack can be miserable and very debilitating. Most individuals experience the following symptoms:

• Intense pain that comes on suddenly with no recent trauma
• Redness, swelling, and warmth over the joint—all signs of inflammation
• Inability to put pressure on the foot or stand without intense pain
• Inability to bend a joint without intense pain, such as the big toe or ankle.

How to Avoid/Get Rid of Gout

Food and Gout

Below is a list of foods to consider altering your diet with that can help prevent a gout attack. Da Vinci Foot & Ankle has compiled a list of foods to avoid and good foods to eat; download our complete list of recommended foods: Da Vinci Gout Instructions.

• Green vegetables and tomatoes
• Fruits
• Breads and cereals that are not whole-grain
• Butter, buttermilk, cheese, and eggs
• Chocolate and cocoa
• Coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages
• Peanut butter and nuts
• Cherries and Cherry Juice
• Potatoes, butternut squash and sweet potatoes