FPH links Gout to Poverty and Wage Growth in Britain

FPH links Gout to Poverty and Wage Growth in Britain

Poverty.jpgGout’s return—along with other Victorian-age diseases—to Britain has been caused by a combination of poor wage growth and increased food prices, reports the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), which represents doctors and health workers in Britain. Food poverty and the rise of these diseases have been linked together by the FPH. “It is a condition we believed should have died out,” said John Middleton of the FPH. “It’s getting worse because people can’t afford good quality food.” Since the global financial crisis, poverty in Britain has been a topic of great debate. Wages have been consistently below the rate of inflation since 2008. Gout is a kind of arthritis that can be caused by obesity and a diet rich in chemical compounds called purines, found in foods like sardine and liver.

Healthy diet and lifestyle choices are pertinent in the prevention and treatment of gout. If you are suffering from the effects of gout, see Dr. Michael H. Wynn, DPM of Foot Care Associates of Texas. Dr. Wynn will provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. It often develops in the foot, especially the big toe area, although it can manifest in other parts of the body as well. Gout can make walking and standing very painful and is especially common in diabetics and the obese.

People typically get gout because of a poor diet. Foods rich in purines like turkey, red meats, and liver can affect the body’s ability to excrete uric acid, which in turn leads to hyperuricema, the blood condition that causes gout to develop. Genetic predisposition is also a factor. The children of parents who have had gout frequently have as much as a one in five chance of developing it themselves.

Gout can easily be identified by redness and inflammation of the big toe and the surrounding areas of the foot. Other symptoms include extreme fatigue, joint pain, and running high fevers. Sometimes corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to treat gout, but the best way to combat this disease is to get more exercise and eat a better diet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kingwood, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

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