What You Should Know About Gout and How to Manage It
Dec 19, 2025
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If you’ve ever experienced sudden, intense pain in your big toe — pain so significant that it wakes you up in the middle of the night — you may have had a gout attack. Gout is a common and painful form of arthritis that affects millions of people every year.
At NYC Foot & Ankle Center in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood of the Upper West Side, our team helps New Yorkers find relief and long-term management strategies to prevent flare-ups. We encourage you to reach out for help if you suspect you have gout.
In the meantime, here are six things you need to know about gout and how to manage it.
Gout develops when you have an excess of uric acid in your blood. Normally, your body filters uric acid through your kidneys and excretes it in your urine.
But when levels build up, uric acid can form sharp, needle-like crystals that collect in your joints, most often at the base of your big toe.
These crystals trigger inflammation, leading to severe pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area.
Certain lifestyle and health factors increase your risk of developing gout or triggering flare-ups, including:
Foods that contain purines (compounds that contain nitrogen and carbon) can raise your uric acid levels. Foods like red meat, shellfish, and organ meats are high in purines, so if you have gout, it’s best to avoid these.
Alcohol, especially beer and spirits, can slow uric acid removal. If uric acid isn’t removed properly, it’s more likely to build up and trigger a gout attack.
Not drinking enough water concentrates uric acid in your system.
High blood pressure, kidney disease, and certain diuretics can all contribute to gout attacks. These conditions make it harder for your body to eliminate uric acid.
If you suspect your diuretics are causing issues with gout, let your prescribing provider know. Never stop medication unless directly told to do so.
A gout attack can come on suddenly and last for several days, sometimes weeks, if untreated. During a flare-up, your toe can be so sensitive that even the pressure of your bed sheets can hurt.
Gout usually affects one joint at a time, often your big toe. It can develop in other joints like your ankles, so don’t brush off any joint point.
You might experience:
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to see your NYC Foot & Ankle Center provider as soon as possible, since untreated gout can lead to joint damage and recurring flare-ups.
According to data published in Lancet Rheumatology, 55.8 million people were living with gout in 2020. This number is expected to jump to 95.8 million by 2050.
The good news is that you can implement several strategies to reduce gout flare-ups. Consider eating a low-purine diet, taking your medication as described, focusing on proper hydration, and avoiding anything that can trigger an attack (like excessive alcohol consumption).
At NYC Foot & Ankle Center, we begin with a thorough evaluation to confirm your diagnosis and rule out other conditions that may cause toe pain. Bunions, for example, can also cause pain in your big toe.
During your appointment, we may:
Once we confirm that gout is the source of your symptoms, we may recommend:
Our goal is not only to relieve your current pain but also to help you maintain long-term control over your gout.
If gout pain interferes with your mobility or keeps coming back, it’s time to reach out. Our team at NYC Foot & Ankle Center provides advanced, compassionate care to relieve your pain, prevent complications, and keep you moving comfortably year-round.
Don’t let gout hold you back. Schedule your appointment today to get relief and learn how to manage gout for the long term.