.jpg "Tips to Relieve a Gout Attack")
February is ending, but you still have a little time to celebrate “Hot Breakfast Month” by making yourself a hearty breakfast meal. Just remember to be mindful of what you eat for your hot breakfast if you struggle with gout; the wrong foods could trigger a gout attack. No one wants to live through that pain! The good news, though, is that if the condition does flare up, the right steps can alleviate the discomfort.
A gout attack strikes without warning. Your joint, usually the big toe, suddenly becomes sharply painful, tender, red, and hot. Typically this happens at night, too, when most people are not prepared to handle the problem. Most attacks last a few weeks if they go untreated, but the right care at the right time can dramatically shorten the painful symptoms. Following some easy treatment steps when gout first rears its head can make a big difference for your recovery.
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Strip and Ice – Keep your foot and leg bare. Take off your socks and keep any bed covers off your foot. As soon as you can, apply an ice pack for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. The cold reduces inflammation.
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Stay in Bed – Avoid using the affected toe in any way. If you can stay in bed, prop it up on pillows. If you can’t, find another way to stay off the foot and keep it elevated.
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Hydrate – Water helps flush excess uric acid, which causes gout, out of your system. Consume plenty of fluids, but especially water, during your recovery.
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Call for Help – Experts like our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. can prescribe medication to help deal with the problem. The sooner the medication is in your system, the more effective it will be at relieving pain and shortening an attack.
The sooner you deal with the discomfort, the easier it will be to alleviate the problem and control it in the future. Don’t wait! Let Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you. Call (303) 805-5156 to reach our Castle Pines or Parker, CO, offices for an appointment right away. Our evening and Saturday urgent care hours are there for emergencies just like this.
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