Gout

The chances of getting gout are higher if you are overweight, if you drink too much alcohol, or eat too much meat and fish that are high in purines, chemicals that are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. While purines are not bad as such, an excess intake of foods containing high levels of purines leads to overproduction of uric acid. Foods high in purine content are beer, other alcoholic beverages, anchovies, sardines, herring, yeast, organ meat (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads), legumes (dried beans, peas), meat extracts, consommé, gravies, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus and cauliflower.

Some medicines, such as diuretics, can also bring on gout.

The best way to prevent gout is to prevent the buildup of uric acid in the blood. This is best done by avoiding purine-rich foods. In addition, these measures help prevent and treat gout:

• Take prescribed medications as directed;
• Maintain a healthy/balanced diet (the American Medical Association recommends a diet high in complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, vegetables), low in protein (15% of calories and sources should be soy, lean meats, poultry), and no more than 30% of calories from fat (10% animal fat);
• Drink plenty of fluids/water and don’t overindulge in caffeinated drinks;
• Exercise and maintain a healthy body weight. CAUTION: Diets designed for quick or extreme weight loss can increase uric acid levels in the blood.

The Integrated Fitting Solution™ (consisting of Thorlos engineered padded socks, an insert or orthotic as necessary, and properly designed and fitted shoes or boots) is the most cost effective, proven method to date that provides proactive protection against pressure, shear and impact forces that cause or magnify foot pain.

• The Thorlos engineered padded sock component of the Integrated Fitting Solution is the only proven engineered sock that, when fitted properly using the IFS method, provides protection against foot pain caused by gout. The acrylic fibers provide moisture wicking properties that help maintain an optimal environment (warm and moist) for the skin of the feet (not too wet, but also not too dry). Together with the insert, the sock product helps reduce pressure, impact and shear forces that can further inflame the painful areas where gout is present.  Thorlos are made with  proprietary THORLON® acrylic yarn and yarn blends that are designed to cushion and protect the feet, and are the only sock product clinically proven to provide proactive protection against pressure and shear forces, and to provide pain reduction. Click here to visit the Institute for Preventive Foot Health web site and read more about the peer reviewed published medical research conducted with Thorlos engineered padded socks.
   
• Inserts that provide cushioning and proper arch support help reduce stress on the feet to reduce the possibility of inflammation and overstress in areas where gout is likely to manifest.
• Properly designed and fitted shoes or boots provide sufficient width in the toe box that helps ensure minimal compression and rubbing of the big toe (the first metatarsal phalangeal joint), a common location for gout.
• As always, proper fitting of the three components, as a system, of the Integrated Fitting Solution helps assure minimal pressure, friction and shear on the feet.

While it can cause serious pain, gout is typically not a serious condition, and can be easily treated with prescription medication. It is, however, important to see your physician even if the pain from gout has disappeared. This is because the uric acid accumulation that caused the gout attack may still be irritating the joints and could eventually cause serious damage. Your physician can prescribe medications that will prevent and even reverse the uric acid accumulation.

Read more about gout here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000422.htm

Remember, ALWAYS consult your physician if you have soreness, pain, redness, swelling or other indications of problems in any area of your feet that persist for more than a few days, particularly if you have invested in a properly fitted Thorlos Integrated Fitting Solution.  If your feet do not feel better, Thorlos offers a money back guarantee on all engineered padded sock products (the guarantee does not cover shoes and inserts).