The Weekend

Happy Friday from NewGen Orthotics! Hope Everyone Has a Nice Weekend with the first weather of fall starting slowly to come in. Also, Call us Toll Free at 1-800-756-0257 to place an order with us or if you are interested in learning more about our products ....

Gout - Treatment and Prevention

The Treatment and Prevention Guidelines of Gout is very important to know and to understand when dealing with the effects of Gout. Good Information is key to knowing what to do when the onsets of foot issues occur, especially Gout. Below, we will go through both the Treatments and The Prevention options for Gout.

Treatments - Most of the treatments for Gout involve medications that can help to alleviate the pain associated with Gout. Most of the medications given to the patient by a doctor will take down and get rid of most of the Uric Acid in the body which causes Gout. Here are some of the other treatment options:

• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - Drug given by your doctor to control the inflammation and pain of Gout. NSAIDs also include over the counter medications such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve. 

• Colchicine - If you cannot take NSAIDs, then you may be prescibed Colchicine by your doctor which effectively reduces Gout Pain, especially right after the symptoms of Gout occur. 

• Corticosteroids - Drugs such as Prednisone can be given to patients of Gout, and can also take down inflammation of Gout.

• Medications that Take Down Uric Acid Level

Prevention - 

• Keep Fluid Intake High - Drink lots of water, and avoid sugary drinks.

• Limit or Avoid Alcohol

• Eat a Balanced Diet - Lots of Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains, Low-Fat Milk

• Limit Intake of Meat, Fish, and Poultry

• Maintain a Healthy Weight

Gout - Causes and Symptoms

As talked about yesterday, Gout is a complex form of arthritis which affects the joint at the base of the big toe.

Causes of Gout - According to the Mayo Clinic, Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a gout attack. Urate crystals can start to form when a person has a high amount of uric acid in their blood. Uric Acid is produced in your body naturally when it breaks down purines which are found in certain foods, such as anchovies, asparagus, and mushrooms. Usually, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. However, sometimes your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling. About 90% percent of the time Gout is found in the base of the big toe.

Symptoms of Gout - The symptoms of Gout are most often acute, occurring at night, and sometimes without any warning. The most common symptoms of Gout are as follows:

• Intense Joint Pain - Gout usually occurs in the big toe, but it can occur in your feet, ankles, knees and hands as well. The pain is most likely to be worst within the first 12 to 24 hours after it begins.

• Lingering Discomfort - After the most severe pain from Gout occurs (first 12-24 hours), some of the joint discomfort may last from a few days to even a couple weeks.

• Inflammation and Redness - The affected joint or joints become swollen, tender, and red.