A swollen foot usually brings to mind an infection or an injury. But when a 41-year-old man from Nalanda, Bihar, hobbled into an online consultation with Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist trained at CMC Vellore, the truth turned out to be far more unexpected. His foot was red, painfully tender, and so sensitive that even standing made him wince. What followed was a medical mystery unravelled with precision, leading to a surprising chemical culprit.
The man had already visited a local physician and tried medications, but his swelling and pain only worsened, disrupting his daily life. When Dr Kumar listened to his story and examined him virtually, one diagnosis strongly came to mind: gout. Unlike infections or injuries, gout is caused when uric acid levels in the blood rise and crystallise in the joints, behaving like tiny needles that inflame tissues and trigger severe pain.
Simple blood test reveals the truth
To confirm, Dr Kumar ordered a simple test — serum uric acid. The result was strikingly high: 11.9 mg/dL, nearly double the normal range. That fits the clinical picture perfectly. The man’s red, swollen foot wasn’t a sign of infection but the result of an internal chemical imbalance his body had been silently brewing.
Explaining the condition to his patient, Dr Kumar emphasised that while painkillers could give temporary relief, they didn’t tackle the root cause. The key lies in urate-lowering medicines, which bring uric acid levels under control and prevent future flare-ups. With long-term monitoring and treatment, patients often experience dramatic relief — the kind that replaces agony with relief and smiles.
Can gout be prevented?
But medicine is only one side of the solution. Lifestyle plays a big role in preventing gout attacks. Dr Kumar shared that hydration, moderation in alcohol, avoiding organ meats, red meat, and sugary drinks, alongside maintaining a healthy weight, can go a long way in reducing painful recurrences.
Gout, though common, is often misunderstood. It is not simply “pain in the joints” but a clear sign of metabolic imbalance. When caught early and managed correctly, it is not only treatable but entirely preventable — proof that sometimes, the biggest culprits behind excruciating pain lie not in injuries, but in the chemistry of our own bodies.
The man had already visited a local physician and tried medications, but his swelling and pain only worsened, disrupting his daily life. When Dr Kumar listened to his story and examined him virtually, one diagnosis strongly came to mind: gout. Unlike infections or injuries, gout is caused when uric acid levels in the blood rise and crystallise in the joints, behaving like tiny needles that inflame tissues and trigger severe pain.
Simple blood test reveals the truth
To confirm, Dr Kumar ordered a simple test — serum uric acid. The result was strikingly high: 11.9 mg/dL, nearly double the normal range. That fits the clinical picture perfectly. The man’s red, swollen foot wasn’t a sign of infection but the result of an internal chemical imbalance his body had been silently brewing.
Explaining the condition to his patient, Dr Kumar emphasised that while painkillers could give temporary relief, they didn’t tackle the root cause. The key lies in urate-lowering medicines, which bring uric acid levels under control and prevent future flare-ups. With long-term monitoring and treatment, patients often experience dramatic relief — the kind that replaces agony with relief and smiles.
A Painful Foot and a Hidden Culprit
— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) August 23, 2025
A 41-year-old man from Nalanda, Bihar, recently consulted me online. He was hobbling in obvious discomfort. His right foot was swollen, red, and tender to touch. The pain was so severe that even the pressure of standing or walking made him… pic.twitter.com/JMzo4PrY29
Can gout be prevented?
But medicine is only one side of the solution. Lifestyle plays a big role in preventing gout attacks. Dr Kumar shared that hydration, moderation in alcohol, avoiding organ meats, red meat, and sugary drinks, alongside maintaining a healthy weight, can go a long way in reducing painful recurrences.
Gout, though common, is often misunderstood. It is not simply “pain in the joints” but a clear sign of metabolic imbalance. When caught early and managed correctly, it is not only treatable but entirely preventable — proof that sometimes, the biggest culprits behind excruciating pain lie not in injuries, but in the chemistry of our own bodies.
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