Gout | Expert Podiatry Care in Seattle
Flare-ups that feel like fire in your joints? You may be dealing with gout—and yes, it can hit your feet hard. At The Wellness Firm Seattle | Podiatrist and Naturopathic Medicine, we treat gout not just as a painful condition but as a signal your body needs support. Located in the heart of Seattle, our podiatry clinic helps you reclaim comfort, mobility, and peace of mind through compassionate, science-backed care.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. When levels spike, uric acid can crystallize inside joints—most often the big toe—creating sharp, needle-like pain that flares up fast and burns like fire. These attacks often hit overnight and can make something as gentle as a bedsheet feel unbearable.
Gout most commonly affects:
- The big toe joint (1st MTP)
- Ankles, knees, and the midfoot
- Adults over 40, especially men
- People with obesity, kidney issues, high blood pressure, or a family history of gout
What Causes Gout?
It’s not just about what’s on your plate—but your plate does play a part. Gout is a complex condition with several contributing factors, including genetics, metabolism, diet, and underlying health conditions.
At its core, gout stems from an excess of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid is a natural waste product formed when your body breaks down substances called purines, which are found in many foods and drinks. When uric acid builds up faster than your kidneys can eliminate it, it can crystallize—causing sharp, needle-like deposits in your joints, especially in the feet.
Common Triggers Include:
Purine-Rich Foods:
Consuming large amounts of red meat, organ meats (like liver), shellfish, and anchovies can spike uric acid levels. Even some vegetables (like asparagus and spinach) contain purines—but these plant-based sources are less likely to cause issues in most people.
Alcohol (especially beer):
Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to flush out uric acid and can cause sudden flare-ups. Beer is particularly problematic due to its purine content and fermentation process.
Certain Medications:
Diuretics (water pills), low-dose aspirin, and medications used to manage blood pressure or transplant rejection can all elevate uric acid levels or reduce kidney function.
Dehydration:
Not drinking enough water reduces your body’s ability to flush out excess uric acid, leading to more concentrated levels in the blood.
Genetics & Family History:
If gout runs in your family, you may be more likely to develop it—even if your diet and lifestyle are otherwise balanced.
Underlying Health Conditions:
Conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease all impair uric acid processing and excretion.
Seattle-Specific Note:
With cooler temperatures and a tendency toward indoor lifestyles, Seattleites may be more vulnerable to seasonal dehydration, lower physical activity, or changes in diet—all subtle but meaningful contributors to gout flare-ups.
Signs You Might Have Gout
- Sudden, intense joint pain—often at night
- Red, swollen, hot skin over the joint
- Pain peaking in 12–24 hours and lingering for days
- Limited movement or stiffness during a flare
- Chronic lumps (tophi) in untreated cases
How Dr. Alexis Treats Gout at The Wellness Firm Seattle | Podiatrist and Naturopathic Medicine
At our Seattle podiatry clinic, Dr. Alexis leads with a whole-body approach. We don’t just chase symptoms—we help you break the cycle of flare-ups with personalized, integrative care.
Your treatment plan may include:
Specialized Podiatric Support
We reduce inflammation, protect your joint structure, and manage post-flare stiffness. We also address changes in gait or foot pressure caused by pain. Need custom support? We offer custom orthotics tailored to gout-prone feet.
Medication Management
Whether you’re already on a treatment plan or starting fresh, we coordinate with your primary provider to optimize medications like NSAIDs, colchicine, or long-term uric acid reducers like allopurinol.
Nutritional Counseling + Natural Supplements
Dr. Alexis can help you implement an anti-inflammatory diet, with low-purine food swaps and hydration hacks. We may also suggest supplements like:
- Tart cherry extract
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Bromelain (from pineapple)
Looking for holistic options? Explore our naturopathic medicine offerings to reduce inflammation naturally.
Lab Testing & Prevention
We regularly check uric acid levels, kidney function, and other relevant markers to help stop future flare-ups before they start.
Lifestyle Optimization
We support realistic weight management goals, help you stay active during recovery, and offer care that complements other chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
Why Gout Deserves Serious Attention
Let’s bust the myth: gout isn’t just “a rich person’s disease.” Left untreated, it can cause permanent joint damage, chronic pain, and even kidney stones. But with the right support, it’s absolutely manageable.
At The Wellness Firm Seattle | Podiatrist and Naturopathic Medicine, we don’t just help you survive a flare-up—we help you prevent the next one. With a caring touch, cutting-edge podiatry, and Seattle’s most integrative wellness approach, we’re here to help you move forward—pain-free.
Ready to Put an End to the Flare-Ups?
You don’t have to keep guessing when the next attack will hit—or suffer in silence when it does. At The Wellness Firm Seattle | Podiatrist and Naturopathic Medicine, we’re ready with the expert podiatry care and holistic support your body needs to thrive.
Prefer to talk it out? Call us at (206) 707-9112
Email us anytime at info@docalexis.com
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