6 Factors that Raise Your Risk for Gout
At NY Foot Health, we know if you’ve ever had a gout attack, one of your first questions for the podiatrist is, “How do I avoid having another one?” This extremely painful condition most often occurs in the joint of the big toe and causes swelling, redness, inflammation, and limiting the ability to bend or move the toe. Several factors increase your risk for gout. Knowing what they are can help you avoid a future attack. Below are six of the most common:
What you eat—gout occurs when high uric acid levels are in the body that crystallizes in a joint, causing discomfort. Certain types of foods and beverages increase uric acid when eaten. These include red meat, shellfish, organ meats, red wine, beer, and beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose).
Recent surgery—some patients experience a gout flare after a surgery or other physical trauma.
Medical conditions—having untreated hypertension, heart or kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, or diabetes raises your risk.
Being overweight or obese—carrying excess pounds raises uric acid levels in your body and makes it more difficult for your kidneys to eliminate it.
Having an organ transplant—medications given to transplant patients have been known to trigger gout attacks. It is also true for certain other drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
Age, sex, and medical history—if gout runs in your family, you’re at higher risk as well. Gout most often affects men who are between the ages of 30 and 50. Women have a greater chance of getting it after menopause.
Some of these risk factors for gout are within your control, and others are not. If you’ve suffered a gout attack or attacks in the past, talk to your podiatrist about developing a plan to manage gout. Don’t have a podiatrist? You can find one by using our online directory. To learn more about podiatric issues, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.