There’s nothing subtle about a gout attack. A form of inflammatory arthritis, gout can strike any joint, but it’s most common in a big toe.
The pain of gout tends to come on quickly, a sharp sensation that feels like shards of glass working their way between the bones of an affected joint. While medications can treat the causes and symptoms of gout, lifestyle changes also play an important role in reducing and even preventing future attacks.
For positive diagnosis and treatment of this common foot condition, visit the podiatry experts at Hudson Valley Foot Associates. Gout responds well to the right medications, so we can control your pain quickly.
For life beyond your next attack, we’ve prepared this list of five lifestyle habits for reducing your gout symptoms.
A gout attack starts when urate crystals form in the affected joint. This happens when you have excess amounts of uric acid in your blood.
Normal levels of uric acid dissolve in your blood for filtration by the kidneys. When the kidneys fall behind in processing uric acid, or when your body produces too much, you’re at risk of urate crystal formation.
Uric acid is a by-product of your body’s efforts to break down purines, chemical compounds found both naturally in your body as well as in certain foods and beverages.
Gout pain can be so extreme that pain relief is enough reason to seek medical care. Without treatment, gout causes joint deterioration, leading to permanent damage.
While medications are invaluable to controlling both uric acid levels and gout episodes themselves, lifestyle changes are particularly helpful in reducing your risk of further attacks. While factors like gender and family history can’t be modified, look to these five lifestyle habits to lower your risk.
It’s not necessary to cut all purine food sources from your diet. High-purine vegetables, for example, don’t increase your chances of gout attacks, so go ahead and enjoy asparagus and spinach.
Organ meats, like kidneys, liver, and sweetbreads, however, carry high levels of purines and will boost your gout risk. It’s a good idea to limit portion sizes of all red meats.
Generally, the benefits of eating seafood outweigh the purine intake, but you can enjoy moderately sized portions.
Beer is the biggest offender among alcoholic beverages. Also, cut back on sugary drinks, including both naturally sweet fruit juices and those using added fructose, when you’re trying to control purines.
Moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee, vitamin C supplements, and cherries are three items you can add into your rotation to help prevent gout symptoms.
Drinking plenty of water helps kidney function as well as preventing concentrations of uric acid in your bloodstream.
Extra pounds increase your chances for more frequent gout attacks. Losing weight reduces the risk, even if you don’t limit purine intake. Adding modest amounts of aerobic activity aids weight loss and helps your general overall health.
It often takes the combined efforts of lifestyle and medication to limit the number and severity of gout attacks. Contact Hudson Valley Foot Associates as your medical partner in gout management.
You can schedule a consultation with the nearest of our locations by phone or online. Book your visit today.
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