1. Get The Right Diagnosis
There are many conditions that can cause pain and swelling of the toes and foot, ranging from bunions, to circulation problems. It is extremely important to find out exactly what the cause of your foot pain is in order to properly treat it. If foot and toe pain persist for more than a short while, and there has been no history of injury, consult a physician or foot specialist to correctly identify the problem before attempting any treatments.
Blood tests can help your doctor or foot specialist to make the correct diagnosis of gout. Since there is a large heredity component to gout, many will be surprised to learn the number of people in their ancestry who had gout of the foot.
2. Know the Signs and Sympotms of an Attack
Gout attacks of the foot have some unique characteristics. They are typically sudden, frequently occur in the early morning, and are extremely painful where people often describe the pain as so intense that even the weight of the bed sheet causes significant discomfort.
The large joint at the base of the great toe--the most classic of sites--becomes reddened, almost bluish, in color, and difficult to move. Accompanying the discoloration is swelling, which is primarily located in the joint, as opposed to generalized foot swelling. Occasionally, these attacks can occur after a night of eating foods high in purine content, a by-product of protein metabolism by the body, which requires uric acid to perform the process.
3. Treat it Right
Once the correct diagnosis has been made, proper medication can be prescribed, such as Allopurinol, a uric acid-lowering drug, as well as an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen. Occasionally, for severe attacks that don't respond well to oral medications, a steroid injection into the painful joint can provide significant relief of symptoms.
Once medication has been prescribed, take it as directed. These drugs are specifically designed to lower your uric acid levels, reducing the chances of future attacks.
4. Exercise Good Prevention
The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure can be of value in maintaining good health of the feet, especially with a diagnosis of gout. This condition is an opportunistic one, in that previously injured or arthritic joints of the foot are are more prone to attacks and uric acid buildup than normal joints.
Maintain optimal weight to avoid excessive loads placed on the feet. Inspect your feet periodically for signs of degeneration in any of the small joints. Wear comfortable, supportive footwear to avoid unnecessary pressure areas on the foot and toes. High heels cramp the toes and can inflame joints, making them easy prey for an attack.
5. Get Educated About Your Condition
The more you know about this condition, the better able you are to treat it and maintain good overall health at the same time. Knowing family history, if possible, can give a clearer picture of the heredity factors of the condition. Exercise good eating and drinking habits to reduce the possibility of inviting an attack. Chronic diabetics are at higher risk of attacks, so proper diet and hydration is critical.
