Gout Relief - Sani Kamis, Singapore Podiatrist

Gout Relief - Sani Kamis, Singapore Podiatrist

What causes gout?

Gout results from hyperuricemia. That is, from too much uric acid in the bloodstream.

The typical diet of a Singaporean is noted to include more protein, higher purine and meat based foods. Protein-based diets, especially those with a very high purine concentration (organ meats, venison, sausages, bacon, seafood and shellfish) will increase the likelihood of a gout attack as the body produces uric acid to break down these purine-containing foods.

Alcohol affects uric acid metabolism by slowing down the excretion of uric acid from the kidneys by causing dehydration which then deposits the crystals in the joints.

A more sedentary lifestyle with richer foods and more alcohol intake leads to obesity and high uric acid build up.

Obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, and abnormal kidney function are among the risk factors for developing gout. Certain drugs and diseases can also cause elevated levels of uric acid. Also, there is an increased prevalence of abnormally low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) in patients with gout.

Diagnosis and how do I know if I have gout?

Podiatrists routinely encounter gout in their daily practice. Gout is considered when a patient reports a history of repeated attacks of painful arthritis, especially at the base of the toes or in the ankles and knees. Patients would undergo clinical evaluation and thorough history taking to determine if gout is the cause of their pain and foot/ankle problem, clinical imaging such as diagnostic ultrasound or x-ray may be taken to give a clear visualisation of the underlying problem. Patients are often asked to further follow up with a Rheumatologist who would routinely send for blood tests and a joint aspiration (if needed).

What are the long-term effects of leaving gout? Can I ignore it?

Leaving gout attacks to subside in their own time, leaving uric acid crystals to accumulate within a joint or living with higher uric acid levels is what triggers gouty attacks. A rheumatologist can manage gout with proper medications and podiatrists are key in offloading and reducing localised inflammation.

An abnormality in handling uric acid and crystallisation of these compounds in joints can cause attacks of painful arthritis, kidney stones, and blockage of the kidney filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney failure.

Gout is a disease and it progresses. Ultimately, uric acid deposition leads to the formation of renal stones and renal damage.

Long-term gout affects the kidneys and advances into tophaceous gout with recurrent and more frequent flare-ups. However, many patients don’t realise that gout is not just crystals causing temporary inflammation; gout can also permanently affect the bones and result in joint deterioration and destruction.

If joint damage has already taken place, medications alone will not resolve the problem. There may even be knock-on effects of a joint compromised by gout, causing secondary musculoskeletal pains in other areas of the foot and ankle.

Podiatrists can address the resulting joint pain and deformity by adjusting the foot biomechanics, using shoe modifications and custom orthotic insoles for long-term relief.

What should patients do if they suspect they have gout in the foot, ankle or leg?

See a podiatrist for help with reducing localised swelling and inflammation through clinical therapies and for non-acute attacks (chronic gout). Podiatrists are specialists at offloading the joints of the feet to reduce the joint wear and tear from increased erosions or osteoarthritis build up. A podiatrist have numerous treatment modalities to relief pain from gout.

On top of extracorporeal shockwave therapy or ESWT, sports taping applied by a foot specialist will help patients ease gout pain and promote blood circulation.

Education is a key to empowering the patient, podiatrists will advise patients comprehensively on their condition and give long-term care advice to help to significantly manage their gout.

See a Podiatrist today!

EAST COAST PODIATRY ( ECPC )

https://Facebook.com/EastCoastPodiatryCentre

www.EastCoastPodiatry.sg | email: services@ecpc.sg

Clinic Locations:

Orchard Clinic
302 Orchard Road . Tong Building #09-02 . Singapore 238862
Tel: (+65) 6884 4123

Kembangan Clinic
18 Jalan Masjid . Kembangan Plaza # B1-02/04/05 . Singapore 418944
Tel: (+65) 6848 5156

Novena Clinic
10 Sinaran Drive . Novena Medical Center #08-12/13 . Singapore 307506
Tel: (+65) 6235 2132

SINGAPORE DIABETIC FOOT CENTRE – a specialised high risk unit of East Coast Podiatry

https://www.facebook.com/sgDiabeticFoot/
www.SingaporeDiabeticFootCentre.com.sg | recovery@sdfc.sg

302 Orchard Road, Tong Building #09-01A, Singapore 238862

Tel: (+65) 6732 1486

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