Gok Wan, 44, is perhaps best known for presenting How to Look Good Naked. The show sought to challenge negative perceptions of body image and boost men women and men’s self-esteem. The runaway success of the show helped to establish Wan as a sensitive and positive role model in health and fashion. The fashion guru has also been forthright about his personal battles with obesity and homophobia. In a segment on This Morning, Gok Wan also revealed he was suffering from a type of arthritis called gout.
According to Arthritis Action, gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build up of too much uric acid in the blood.
High levels of uric acid do not always cause gout but in some people, uric acid in the blood leads to crystals forming in the joints and this can trigger an attack of gout.
People with gout typically experience sudden severe pain in the affected joint, said the NHS.
People may also experience red, hot, swollen skin over the affected joint, added the health body.
There are many ways to alleviate the symptoms.
I’ve got gout. I can’t believe it
Gok Wan
Wan was seen easing the pressure on his swollen foot by wearing a slipper.
When questioned about his curious foot attire, Wan revealed: “I’ve got gout. I can’t believe it.
Elaborating further, he said: “As you can see here I am wearing on shoe and one slipper and before we went on air Phillip said to be me ‘Why don’t you just wear two slippers?’ and it’s because I’ve had a lot of co-codamol and I couldn’t make that decision.”
He added: “I am in a lot of pain.”
Prior to appearing on the show, Wan shared a picture of his one slippered foot on social media, revealing to his fans: “Morning! I have a poorly foot… I think it’s gout.
“It’s so swollen I can’t wear any of my shoes, but I refuse to take a day off so I’m going to @thismorning wearing one (fabulous) shoe and one (fabulous) slipper! #nosuchthingasasickdayinwanworld.”
As the NHS explained, attacks of gout are usually treated with anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen or in Wan’s case co-codamol.
If the gout does not improve after three to four days, a person might be given steroids as tablets or an injection, noted the health body.
The health site recommended the following dos and don’t stop symptoms from worsening:
Do:
Take any medicine you have been prescribed as soon as possible – it should start to work within three days
Rest and raise the limb
Keep the joint cool – apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, for up to 20 minutes at a time
Drink lots of water (unless advised not to by a GP)
Try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night
Don’t:
Knock the joint or put pressure on it
According to Arthritis Action, the uric acid buildup that can cause gout can be reduced by losing weight.
The health site also recommended keeping alcohol intake to one to two units per day or less.
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