One of the most common foot issues in the world is known as a gout flare-up. A gout flare-up is considered one of the most painful things a person can experience. While there a wide array of medications you can take to help with gout, caused by uric acid, many people like to know how this happens in the first place.

Gout is caused by something called uric acid. Uric acid is caused when a person eats certain types of food, such as some nuts and certain types of fish. When you eat these things your body breaks down certain chemicals in the food and produces uric acid as a byproduct. Some people are more prone to not being able to process the uric acid created, and therefore more susceptible to having an issue with gout. Most people are able to pass the uric acid through their urine, but some are not. This leads to a buildup in the body.

Uric acid is commonly found in joints. Here at Advanced Foot and Ankle Care we see it a lot in toe or ankle joints. To test for the uric acid levels in your body, your primary care doctor would need to perform a blood or urine test. Blood taken from the top of the hand or near the elbow joint are preferred. While there are many different types of medication that can help keep your uric acid levels in check, eating a diet low in food that can trigger a gout flare-up is also key.