Name: Gout Treatment
Brand: Gotham Footcare
Rating: 5.0 (766 reviews)

What is Gout?

Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in a joint, typically the great toe joint.

When certain proteins break down in our body, a substance called uric acid is formed. This substance can also be found in certain foods, like meat, seafood, sweetened drinks, and beer. Normally, uric acid dissolves in our blood and gets filtered by our kidneys, where it is thrown out with our urine.

Sometimes, our body makes too much uric acid, or our kidneys don't get rid of enough of it, which can lead to health problems. When this happens, uric acid can accumulate in your blood and crystallize in your joint, causing a sudden gout attack, causing your joint to become severely painful, red, hot, and swollen. This attack often occurs in the middle of the night giving you the burning sensation on the affected joint and can be so severe that even the weight of your bed sheet on it may seem intolerable.

What are the risk factors of Gout?

Family history of Gout.
Diet. Foods rich in protein, such as meat and seafood, sweetened drinks, and alcoholic beverages, especially beer.
Obesity.
Medical Conditions: Specific medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases.
Medications: Certain medications such as Thiazide diuretics for hypertension, low-dose aspirin, and organ transplant anti-rejection drugs.

Age and sex. Gout happens more commonly in men usually between the ages of 30 and 50, because men are more likely to consume a diet that produces elevated levels of uric acid. Women typically develop Gout symptoms after menopause, when their uric acid levels approach those of men.
Recent surgery or trauma. Surgery or damage to a joint increases the likelihood that uric acid will accumulate in that joint, which increases the risk of developing a Gout attack.

How is Gout diagnosed?

At Gotham Footcare in NYC Gout is diagnosed by your doctor, who will perform a series of tests to determine if urate crystals are present in your affected joint. One common method is joint aspiration, where a needle is inserted to withdraw fluid from the joint. The fluid sample is then examined under a microscope to check for the presence of urate crystals. In addition to joint aspiration, your doctor could take a blood sample to gauge the levels of uric acid in your blood. High levels of uric acid can be an indication of the condition.

To further confirm a Gout diagnosis, X-ray imaging may be used to check for the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint. Ultrasound can also be used to visualize urate crystals in a joint, which can help your doctor assess the extent of the condition and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Consultation

How is Gout Treated?

At Gotham Footcare, the first step in the treatment of acute Gout is to eliminate or reduce the pain by decreasing inflammation of the joint. Your podiatrist will prescribe pain-relieving medications, which may include:

Colchicine

You may be prescribed Colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare), a pain reliever that reduces Gout pain by inhibiting the immunological response of white blood cells that cause the symptoms of Gout.

Corticosteroids

Medications such as prednisone, are generally used in patients with Gout who cannot take either NSAIDs or colchicine. Corticosteroids may be in pill form, or they can be injected into your joint.

(NSAID’s) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NSAIDs such as over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be taken or your doctor will prescribe a more powerful NSAID such as celecoxib (Celebrex) or indomethacin (Indocin), which is the traditional drug of choice.

The second part of acute Gout Treatment consists of taking prescription medication to lower the levels of uric acid in your body. At Gotham Footcare, your podiatrist will explain the various medications available, how they differ, and their potential side effects. The medication provided by your NYC Gout Treatment provider will be based on what is the most appropriate in consideration of your lifestyle and current health status. Some medications may be used to treat acute Gout and others be used to prevent chronic Gout.

Last but not least, at Gotham Footcare, your podiatrist will have a thorough discussion with you on the necessary lifestyle changes that you will need to make including increased exercise, weight loss, and modifications in your diet to help prevent future attacks.

The Benefits of Gout Treatment

Gout flares are miserable, but effective treatment offers a double benefit: faster relief and future prevention. During an attack:

Reduced Pain and Inflammation: Medications like NSAIDs and corticosteroids quickly target discomfort, letting you get back to normal sooner.

Between attacks:

Fewer Flares: By lowering uric acid levels (the culprit behind Gout), treatment significantly reduces the frequency and severity of future attacks.
Joint Protection: Long-term Gout can damage joints. Treatment helps prevent this, preserving joint health and mobility.
Reduced Tophi Risk: Uric acid crystals can form hard lumps called tophi. Treatment minimizes their formation, preventing potential discomfort and cosmetic concerns.
Improved Overall Health: The condition is linked to other health issues like kidney problems. Treatment can help manage these risks.

Remember, Gout Treatment is most effective when started early. Talk to your doctor about the best approach for you.

Ideal Candidates for Gout Treatments

Not everyone with Gout needs medication. Patients who suffer from the following symptoms will see the most benefits from our Gout treatment:

Frequent Flares: Two or more attacks per year significantly impact quality of life. Treatment helps prevent them.
Tophi: These lumps of uric acid crystals indicate long-term Gout and potential joint damage. Treatment slows their growth or shrinks them.
Joint Damage: Existing Gout-related joint damage highlights the need to prevent further complications.
High Uric Acid: Even without flares, very high uric acid levels can increase future risk. Treatment lowers this risk.

Consultation

Gout Treatment Results and Recovery

Gout Treatment offers a two-pronged attack. Relief from a flare-up can be surprisingly quick, with medications like NSAIDs and corticosteroids reducing pain and inflammation often within days. However, preventing future attacks is a marathon, not a sprint. It typically takes several months of urate-lowering medications to achieve optimal results and significantly reduce your flare frequency. The long-term benefits of preventing joint damage and other complications make consistent treatment essential.

What are the costs of Gout Treatment?

The cost of Gout Treatment varies depending on factors like medication type, doctor visits, and insurance coverage. Medications range from generic and inexpensive (like allopurinol) to specialty drugs with a higher price tag (like pegloticase). Consulting a podiatrist for Gout management adds to the cost, though some insurance plans may cover it. It's wise to discuss potential costs with your doctor and explore all options to find a Gout treatment plan that fits your budget.

Gout Treatment FAQs

How Can I prevent Gout attacks?

Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Obesity is a risk factor for Gout. Losing weight can help lower your uric acid levels.
Eating a Healthy Diet: Limit your intake of purine-rich foods, such as red meat, organ meats, and seafood. Also, avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, especially beer.
Drinking Plenty of Fluids: Staying hydrated can help your kidneys flush out uric acid.
Exercising Regularly: Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall health.

What are some complications of Gout?

If left untreated, Gout can lead to several complications, including:

Joint Damage: Repeated attacks can damage the joints, leading to chronic pain and deformity.
Tophi: These are hard lumps of uric acid crystals that can form under the skin around the joints.
Kidney Stones: Uric acid crystals can also form in the kidneys, leading to kidney stones.
Increased Risk of Other Health Problems: Gout has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

I think I might have Gout. What should I do?

If you are experiencing sudden and severe joint pain, especially in your big toe, see a doctor right away. They can diagnose the condition and recommend the best course of treatment for you.

Does Gotham Footcare accept my insurance?

We recommend calling Gotham Footcare at (212) 921-7900 to inquire about their accepted insurances.

What are the benefits of seeing a podiatrist for Gout Treatment?

Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists who have the training and experience to diagnose and treat a wide range of foot conditions, including Gout. They can provide you with personalized treatment plans that may include medication, lifestyle changes, and other therapies to help you manage your Gout and prevent future attacks. Podiatrists can also perform minimally invasive procedures to remove urate crystals from your joints, if necessary.

Your First Step to Getting Better

At Gotham Footcare in NYC, we strive at recognizing your individual needs and desired outcomes while formulating an effective and personalized treatment plan with the highest quality care available.

What sets Gotham Footcare apart from other podiatry offices is our dedication to providing you with the education you need to make well-informed decisions regarding your care. Regardless of what your foot and ankle trouble may be, at Gotham Footcare our team will work tirelessly to help you feel better. At Gotham Footcare, we help you put your best foot forward.

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Gout Treatment In NYC

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