Gout is a type of arthritis in which small crystals form inside and around the joints. It causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling.
Causes
- Gout is caused by a build-up of a substance called uric acid in the blood
- Obesity, high blood pressure and/or diabetes
- Having a close relative with gout
- Kidney problems
- Eating foods that cause a build-up of uric acid, such as red meat, offal and seafood
- Drinking too much beer or spirits
Symptoms
- Severe pain in one or more joints
- The joint feeling hot and very tender
- Swelling in and around the affected joint
- Red, shiny skin over the affected joint
- The joint feeling hot and very tender, to the point of being unable to bear anything touching it
- Swelling in and around the affected joint
- Red, shiny skin over the affected joint
- Peeling, itchy and flaky skin as the swelling goes down
Treatment
Home remedies
One of the most effective ways to manage gout is to limit your intake of purine-rich foods and drinks.That means consuming less:
- Red meat
- Organ meats, such as liver
- Seafood, particularly tuna, scallops, sardines, and trout
- Alcohol
- Sugary drinks
Medication
Medications that can help to reduce pain from a gout flare-up in ankle include:
- Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil)
- Prescription-strength NSAIDS, such as indomethacin (Indocin)
- Corticosteroids, which may be taken orally or injected into ankle joint to help ease pain and inflammation
- Colchicine (Colcrys), a pain reliever that targets gout pain .