Gout can be a lifelong disease that can be progressive for some people. That signifies it may worsen over time if its root cause, high uric acid, is not managed. If gout worsens, it can progress to a more serious, chronic form known as uncontrolled gout. Fortunately, you can call the Maryland Gout Institute today at (410) 449-5928 or submit an online form to make an appointment with one of the best doctors specializing in gout treatment in Towson, Maryland.
Uric Acid: The Cause of Gout
You’ve made some lifestyle changes, and you’re taking prescription gout medication. Lastly, you’ve taken the steps to manage your gout, but why are gout symptoms still disrupting your life and keeping you from doing the things you want to do? It might be your uric acid levels.
Uric acid is a waste product that usually dissolves in your blood and exits the body when you pee. Uric acid is made when your body breaks down purines (natural substances found in the body and in some foods that you may be eating). Because of this, purine-rich foods can increase uric acid production, increasing the risk of gout.
Signs and Symptoms of Gout
Gout occurs when uric acid is created faster than your body can remove it. It accumulates in your bloodstream, triggering the formation and deposition of crystals in your joints and soft tissues, resulting in a gout flare. Some symptoms of a gout flare include:
- Unpredictable, intense pain
- Swelling on the impacted joint/s
- Inflammation on the affected joint/s
High uric acid levels that remain high and are not always within your control may sometimes be known as uncontrolled gout.
Factors of Developing Gout
Many factors influence uric acid production and elimination, affecting the development and progression of gout. These factors include:
- Family history/genetics
- Secondary medical conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease
- High uric acids despite taking medications to lower it
Even when you change your diet and lifestyle habits and take prescription medicine, gout can still worsen. Talk to a gout specialist at the Maryland Gout Institute to learn about your treatment options.
Tips for Gout Management in Towson, MD
The best results come from knowing how to manage gout effectively. This starts with knowing your triggers, practicing a treatment plan, and controlling uric acid levels to measure progress. Review our gout management tips to prevent flare-ups:
- Drink lots of water and reduce your intake of sugary beverages.
- Lose weight gradually if you are obese.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
Why Towson Patients Visit the Maryland Gout Institute
Gout cannot be cured, but it is treatable and manageable. At the Maryland Gout Institute, we focus on reducing inflammation and pain with medication while also minimizing future attacks. We utilize advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to address foot and ankle issues for residents in Towson, Maryland. In particular, Dr. Mark Spier will help determine your gout treatment program based on several factors – age, medications, overall well-being, health condition, and severity of gout attacks. Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns, or if you are tired of experiencing foot and ankle pain.
Proudly Serving Patients in Baltimore County, MD
Besides Towson, we gladly manage and treat gout in patients across Maryland:
- Dundalk, MD
- White Marsh, MD
- Garrison, MD
- Essex, MD
- Rosedale, MD
- Parkville, MD
- Reisterstown, MD
Know Your Gout Treatment Options with the Maryland Gout Institute
Uncontrolled gout can affect many aspects of your life. Flares and joint pain may cause missed work, increased stress, reduced activity, and sleep disruption. Several treatment options are available, some for short-term relief, others for long-term uric acid control.
Take action early to prevent gout complications, and contact the Maryland Gout Institute at (410) 847-7287 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Spier and receive gout treatment in Towson, MD.
Contact the Maryland Gout Institute for Gout Treatment in Towson, Maryland
Since 1984, Dr. Mark E. Spier, has been providing various treatment options with a specialization in the treatment of gout. Our practice in Reisterstown, MD, also offers PinPointe laser treatment for heel pain. We pride ourselves on listening to our patients thoroughly and understanding the extent of their foot and ankle concerns. The Maryland Gout Institute accepts most insurance plans and welcomes new patients! To schedule an appointment, call our office today (410) 847-7287! Follow our blog, Facebook, and X.