Scientists at the University of Nottingham have gathered more evidence that a person’s likelihood of getting gout is strongly affected by genetics. Their studies have identified people with first-degree relatives like parents, siblings, or children with gout as more likely to contract it themselves.

In addition, the researchers reported online in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases that a person is also more likely to get it if a second-degree relative, like an aunt or uncle or grandparent, has it, although this effect is less dramatic than the effect first-degree relatives have.

Health scientists today are still debating whether gout is more affected by heredity or by externalities like diet, weight, and high blood pressure. "Currently, the balance between genetic and environmental contributions is still unclear," said Chang-Fu Kuo, one of the study’s researchers.

Gout is a systematic disease of the foot that can usually be avoided with proper care. If you are suffering from gout, consider seeing a podiatrist like Dr. Nicholas Crismali of Crismali Foot & Ankle. Dr. Crismali can determine if you have gout or another systemic disease and provide you with care to help restore your feet to good health.

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.

To learn more about Gout, follow the link below.

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

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