Overview
Toes and ankles can be disabled and deformed from gout and gouty arthritis. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals that are deposited in the extremities of the feet, ankles, hands, and even elbows. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.
Causes
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, gout is a condition found in the joints of the extremities. Gout crystals are formed when the body cannot process and eliminate all of the uric acid in your bloodstream. The crystals settle into the joints of the large toe, the ankle, the hand, fingers, wrist, and even the elbows of those experiencing gout attacks.
Small amounts of crystalization will cause mild redness and swelling in the affected joints. Large amounts of the trapped crystals will result in a very shiny, red joint that is noticeably swollen. Some of the crystals can group together to form “tophi,” which are encapsulated uric acid crystals that can eventually distort and disable the affected joint.
Who Gets Gout
Men are more likely to develop gouty arthritis during the years after puberty. The older a man gets, the more likely he is to have a gout attack. The attacks peak during the middle-age years.
Women seem to only get gout after menopause. That indicates a hormonal relationship with arthritis.
Eating foods high in purines (which metabolize to uric acid) appear to initiate acute gout attacks. Such foods include meat, fatty sauces, and seafood.
Many famous people have been stricken with gout. The affliction is known as the disease of kings. According to the New York Times Sunday Book Review, “My Literary Maladym” by Geoff Nicholson and published in 2008, the roll call of famous gout sufferers is long and distinguished and includes Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, Martin Luther, Oliver Cromwell, Galileo, Theodore Roosevelt, Henry James, Benjamin Disraeli, Thomas Jefferson and Karl Marx.
Treatment
First of all, don’t take aspirin. Aspirin can precipitate more uric acid crystals, which will send you to the nearest emergency room.
Ibuprofen will help with the pain and swelling as it is an anti-inflammatory. Adults can take three or four 200 mg pills every four to six hours. Ibuprofen may cause stomach upset, so take the pills with food and a full glass of water.
There are several medications for the treatment of gout. Colchicine is the most-often prescribed drug, and although the action of colchicine on gout is unknown, it does show to have a dramatic and beneficial effect. The usual instructions call for taking two pills immediately after the pain starts, then one pill every hour until five or six pills have been taken and the symptoms subside. Diarrhea is a common side effect of the treatment. Long-term use may cause anemia.
Allopurinol is the treatment of choice for long-term use. The drug works by lowering the uric acid levels in the blood stream.
Foods to Avoid
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center and Alan Matsumoto, M.D., high-purine foods are to be avoided. Foods very high in purines include hearts, herring, mussels, yeast, smelt, sardines, and sweetbreads. Foods that are moderately high in purine content include anchovies, grouse, mutton, veal, bacon, liver, salmon, turkey, kidneys, partridge, trout, goose, haddock, pheasant and scallops.
Foods to Eat to Avoid Gout
Cherries and concentrated black cherry juice are the most recommended foods to eat when you suffer from gouty arthritis. A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and low in rich, meaty, or decadent foods is the best choice for people with the condition.
About this Author
Lela A. Cargill, M.T. (ASCP), B.A., is a certified medical laboratory scientist with more than 30 years of experience. Her specialty is transfusion medicine. Her degree at Sam Houston State University includes emphasis in journalism and photography. She writes for Examiner.com, HubPages, and eHow. Also known as Austinstar, she writes articles on art, travel and the health sciences.
