Gout does cluster within families, and there’s an increased risk for individuals who have close relatives affected with the condition, according to the University of Nottingham in England. Individuals who have affected first-degree relatives such as parents, offspring or siblings have the highest risk in acquiring gout. Secondly, individuals whose relatives affected such as grandparents, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews have a slightly but not so greater risk as first degree relatives in acquiring gout, the researchers reported online in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Gout is believed to have a heritable component, but according to med page Today environmental impacts play a role as well such as obesity, hypertension, diuretic use, and diets high in purines and alcohol. "Currently, the balance between genetic and environmental contributions is still unclear," observed Kuo and colleagues.

If you believe you are suffering from gout, you should seek out the care of podiatrist Dr. Michael Wynn of Foot Care Associates of Texas, P.A. Dr. Wynn can diagnose your condition as well as provide you with treatment options that work for you.  

What is gout?

Diseases of the feet can affect the whole body, and symptoms usually arise within the feet. A condition like gout can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  The pain caused by this disease is often so agonizing that it requires elevation of the feet and some time off of them to recover.

Known in the past as “the disease of kings”, Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body.  This buildup of acid is typically seen on the big toe of the foot and can cause inflammation, redness and swelling. Although these are common symptoms of the diseases others include joint pain, extreme fatigue and a high fever.  Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Kingwood, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read More on Gout.