How to Prevent Severe Bunion Pain from Flaring Up
Do you have bunion pain that gets notably worse at times? Understanding why these flare-ups can happen can go a long way toward helping you prevent them in the future.
Risk Factors for Gout, and What to do About Them
While all types of arthritis can cause joint pain, there’s nothing quite like gout. This type of arthritis causes sudden, severe pain in the affected joint, which is often the big toe. The joint might feel hot or swell, and the pain can be so intense that it wakes you up in the middle of the night.
If you suffer gout attacks, Kyle Durfey, DPM, and Brian Hiapo, DPM, offer gout care at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center, with locations in Chandler and Laveen, Arizona. In this blog, Dr. Durfey and Dr. Hiapo explain some of the most common risk factors for suffering gout attacks as well as steps you can take to avoid them.
Weight
When you’re overweight, your body produces more uric acid. This can cause urate crystals to build up in your joints, which can lead to gout attacks.
Because excess weight can contribute to gout attacks, one of the best things you can do to avoid these painful attacks is lose weight. The good news is that Dr. Hiapo and Dr. Durfey offer weight loss counseling. And, while you’re losing weight, they can provide treatments to reduce the symptoms of gout attacks.
Diet
A gout-fighting diet should reduce your consumption of foods rich in purines. This is because the body creates uric acid as it breaks down purines. And, as noted earlier, a high amount of uric acid can lead to the development of urate crystals, which can lead to gout attacks. To avoid gout attacks, you should cut back on:
- Organ/glandular meats
- Red meat
- Sugar, especially fructose
- Shellfish
- Alcohol, especially beer and distilled liquor
Modifying your diet can go a long way toward preventing future gout attacks.
Medical conditions
High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease can all heighten your risk for suffering gout attacks. The good news is that healthy lifestyle modifications can help you fight all of these conditions — and lower your likelihood of suffering gout attacks.
Aiming to get active at least a few times a week, eating a nutritious diet, and finding ways to manage your stress can help you improve your overall health and also help you avoid medical conditions that could increase your risk of suffering gout attacks.
Factors you can’t control
While you can take steps to reduce your risk of suffering gout attacks, other factors can be out of your control, such as:
- A family history of gout
- Your sex (men are more likely to experience gout)
- Your age (gout gets more common with age)
That’s where we come in. Here at Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center, Dr. Durfey and Dr. Hiapo can work with you to find treatments that can help you avoid painful attacks.
From medications to nutrition counseling, we’re here to help you get relief from gout pain. For personalized treatment, book an appointment online or over the phone with Arizona Foot and Ankle Medical Center today.
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