Got gout? If so, a Valencia foot and ankle surgeon has a recommendation for surviving the holidays: Watch what you eat and drink.
Changes in diet, including overindulging in certain foods and beverages, can cause gout attacks this time of year, says Dana Lavian and Leslie G. Levy. Lavian and Levy are members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons ACFAS with offices in Valencia and Northridge.
Gout attacks are extremely painful. They are caused when uric acid accumulates in the tissues or a joint and crystallizes. This most commonly occurs in the big toe joint. Lavian and Levy explain this is because the toe is the coolest part of the body and uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes.
They say foods that are high in purines contribute to uric acid build-up. They recommend that people prone to gout attacks avoid purine-rich items such as shellfish (shrimp, crab, etc.), organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red meat, red wine and beer.
Gout can be treated with medications, diet changes, increasing consumption of appropriate fluids, and immobilizing the foot. In some cases surgery is required to remove the uric acid crystals and repair the joint.
For more information on gout, contact Dana Lavian, D.P.M. and Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. office at 661-254-0795. Leslie G. Levy, D.P.M. and Dana Lavian, D.P.M. are board certified in foot and ankle surgery and earned their podiatric medical degree from Podiatric Medical School. They both have been practicing in Valencia for 20 years.
