One kind of gout that hurts the big toe joint is podagra gout. It is brought on by an accumulation of uric acid in the joints. While there are medications available for treatment, dietary and lifestyle modifications can significantly lessen flare-ups.
A kind of gout known as podagra, or “foot trap,” affects the joint where your big toe joins the foot joints at the top of your toe. The first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is another name for this joint.
When uric acid levels in your joints rise, gout develops. Given that you bear a lot of your weight on your big toe, podagra gout can be particularly excruciating.
Continue reading to find out more about the signs and symptoms of podagra gout, potential causes, things to look out for, and how medical professionals identify and manage the condition.
What are podagra gout symptoms?
Podiagra gout is most commonly characterized by pain in the first MTP joint, which is where your big toe and foot joints meet.
Gout flare-ups that are sudden, intense, and most common at night are referred to as “attacks” by the general public. In the absence of treatment, podagra gout pain can linger up to 10 days, however, it often only lasts three days.
Additional signs of a flare-up of podagra gout may include:
- joint swelling
- color changes or redness around the joint
- a scorching or heated sensation in your foot
- having trouble rotating your big toe joint
- stiff lumps (tophi) that develop close to the joint
- fatigue
- fever and chills during severe flares
What causes podagra gout?
Podagra gout is caused by prolonged elevated blood uric acid levels, the same as other kinds of gout.
When your body breaks down a lot of purines, which causes gout, in food and drink, uric acid frequently accumulates. Additionally, conditions like diabetes or kidney illness that impair your body’s ability to metabolize food can cause it to accumulate in your blood.
Dehydration regularly might also raise your risk of uric acid accumulation.
Podagra gout risk factors
The following are some of the most prevalent risk factors for developing podagra gout:
- possessing genetic mutations or inherited genes that make you more susceptible to gout
- having had menopause in the past
- drinking a lot of alcohol
- eating a lot of red meats or fish
- having a very high-protein diet
- consuming a lot of high fructose corn syrup in food or drink
- taking prescription drugs such as diuretics that alter blood urate levels
- having diabetes
- having obesity
- fasting for long periods
- having kidney disease
What foods could lead to podagra gout?
Purine-rich foods are more likely to cause podagra gout, particularly if you already have a family history of gout or other medical factors that put you at risk.
Foods high in purines include:
- alcohol
- soda
- high sugar juices
- red meats
- organ meats
- fish and shellfish, like cod, salmon, and scallops
Alcohol poses a particular risk to those who have gout. It can also prevent your body from correctly digesting uric acid, which can lead to excessive amounts of uric acid accumulation. It is heavy in purines.
The low-purine diet
Among the greatest low-purine meals to consume to lower your risk of developing gout are:
- dairy goods low in fat, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk
- meals high in magnesium, including almonds and avocados
- black coffee
- eggs
- entire vegetables, such as ginger, celery, and cherries
- potatoes
- nuts
- apple cider vinegar
- teas with dandelion, nettle, or milk thistle
How do doctors diagnose podagra gout?
By looking over your medical history and doing a physical examination to look for signs like swelling or discoloration, a doctor may be able to diagnose podagra gout.
Your physician might inquire about the following:
- how do you describe your joint pain
- how intense your pain is when you experience it
- how often do you have joint pain
To assess your uric acid levels, a doctor may also undertake a blood or urine test. Any damage or difficulties in your joint caused by gout or other disorders can also be seen on an X-ray of the MTP joint.
Is there a treatment for podagra gout?
For podagra gout, there are numerous therapies available that can take care of the underlying uric acid accumulation as well as your symptoms.
Medications that reduce edema and inflammation and relieve podagra gout discomfort include:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil)
- corticosteroids
- colchicine (Colcrys)
Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, such as probenecid (Probalan) and allopurinol (Lopurin), help lessen the frequency of podagra gout flare-ups.
Surgery may be necessary for severe podagra gout. Among the potential podagra gout procedures are:
- joint fusion surgery
- joint replacement surgery
- surgery to remove tophi
Changing a few aspects of your lifestyle can also help lower your risk of podagra gout attacks. These include:
- shedding any extra pounds to ease the strain on your foot
- reducing your exposure to podagra gout triggers by eating a low-purine diet
- getting regular exercise
- drinking enough water every day
- reducing or quitting smoking
- drinking less or no alcohol
Takeaway
Gout that affects the MTP joint—where the big toe joins the foot joints—is known as podagra gout.
Similar to other forms of gout, podagra gout can be managed with dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and medication interventions.
Taking care of other illnesses that may cause gout flare-ups will also help lessen podagra gout flare-ups.