What do you know about Gout?

1.  Gout is a kind of:

A. Fungus

B. Arthritis

C. Infection

2. True or false? Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.

3. What is the most common site for a gout attack?

A. The joint at the base of the big toe

B. The tip of the middle toe

C. Between the first and second toe

4. How long does a gout attack usually last?

A. A couple minutes

B. A couple hours to a couple days

C. A couple weeks to a couple months

5. What are risk factors for gout?

A. Obesity

B. Moderate to heavy alcohol intake

C. Abnormal kidney function

D. All of the above

6. True or false? Gout is one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history.

7. If you parents have gout, what chance do you have of developing it?

A. 10%

B. 20%

C. 40%

8. True or false? Most people with gout will experience repeated bouts over the years.

See comments below for the answers.

Image by Roy Blumenthal. Question Mark Phoenix. (2008). Flickr.

Feet are a Health Indicator

Your feet can sometimes lead your doctor into discovering an underlying health problem. Certain symptoms you experience can be an indicator that something else is amiss in your body. Here are few examples.

Unexplained Foot Fracture: This can be a sign of osteoporosis. This disease typically progresses without symptoms and is often not found until a person experiences a bone fracture. Once bones are thinned out from osteoporosis, normal activities can cause foot bones to break.

Changes in toenails: Nails can change color, shape and textures. Pale white nails can be caused by anemia or zinc deficiency, thickened nails can be caused by poor circulation, yellow nails can be an indicator of lung disease. Any changes in your nails should be examined by a physician.

Swollen Feet: Fluid collection in your feet and/or ankles can develop for a variety of reasons. Unexplained swelling can indicate problems with lymph vessels, venous insufficiency or heart, liver or kidney diseases.

If you notice any changes in your feet, get them examined by a physician. They will be able to tell if it is a foot related issue or something else.  

Image by Marc Milligan. Busy Feet. (2012). Flickr.

Foot Ulcers vs. Foot Blisters

Foot ulcers can easily be mistaken for blisters. Here are a few differences to help you figure out what you have.

Foot Blisters

• A blister is a pocket of fluid beneath the skin.
• A small, unbroken blister will likely heal on its own.
• The area can pop on its own. If it does, keep it clean and dry.
• If the area is warm, red, swollen, and/or painful, it is time to see a doctor.
• The most common cause of blisters is wearing shoes that don’t fit properly.

Foot Ulcers

• A foot ulcer is an open wound.
• Most commonly found on the ball of the foot, bottom of the big toe, or side of the foot.
• If you are diabetic, you are at an increased risk for foot ulcers.
• Foot Ulcers require medical attention. They can lead to serious infections if not treated properly.
• It may take months for ulcers to heal.

If the area is not healing on its own, or you think it may be an ulcer, make an appointment with your doctor. He will help to get the area healed properly.

Image by Bradley Gordon. Little Toe Blister. Flickr. (2010).

What's causing your foot pain?

Are you wearing high heels? Shoes with heels that are two inches or higher can cause aching feet as well as heel, ankle and knee problems.

Do your shoes fit properly? Shoes that are too tight or narrow can cause bunions. Bunions can also develop from arthritis and flat feet.

Have you been putting extra stress on your feet? If you are experiencing heel pain, it may be due to plantar fasciitis, inflamed tissue on the bottom of the foot. Consistent plantar fasciitis can cause calcium deposits called heel spurs, which can also be painful.

Have you been running on hard pavement? Toes that repeatedly strike the shoe’s toe box may become sore and toenails may even turn black.

Do your feet hurt after standing? You may have flat feet, the absence of space between the ground and the sole of your foot.

Are you wearing flip flops? These types of shoes offer no arch support or shock absorption.

Are your feet itchy? You may have a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot.

Do you have patches of thickened skin? If it’s on your toe, it’s a corn. If it’s on the bottom of your foot, it’s a callus.

Image by Nancy. Sleeping Feet. (2014). Flickr.

2015 Foot Review

How much did you learn this year? Test your knowledge on topics covered during 2015. Answers are listed in the comments below.

1. Which part of the foot forms the heel and ankle?

A. Forefoot

B. Midfoot

C. Backfoot

D. Hindfoot

2. What is the most common form of arthritis?

a. Osteoarthritis

b. Rheumatoid arthritis

c. Posttraumatic arthritis

3. You should moisturize every part of your foot except:

A. Heels

B. Balls of the feet

C. Between the toes

4. Which test is used to detect torn ligaments or tendons?

A. Ultrasound

B. X-ray

C. MRI

5. Which of the following is not an arch type?

A. Flat Arch

B. Curved Arch

C. High Arch

D. Normal Arch

6. Swelling in the feet can be a sign of foot infection. Those with “blank” are at greater risk for foot infections, and should check feet daily.

A. Venous Insufficiency

B. Blood Clots

C. Diabetes                      

7. True or False? If shoes don’t feel comfortable when you try them on, you can always break them in.

8. What are the best conditions for fungus to grow?

A. Cool, dry place

B. Warm, wet place

C. Cool, wet place

D. Warm, dry place

Image by Sally Mahoney. New Year. (2006). Flickr.