Gout is one of more than a hundred different types of arthritis. It causes intense pain that makes moving about or doing much of anything else difficult. Most often, it affects the joint of your big toe, although other joints may be affected, as well.
The caring providers at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre in Conroe and The Woodlands, Texas, treat patients who have various types of arthritis, including gout. Although there’s no cure for gout, our team wants you to know that you can make some relatively simple lifestyle changes that can help you avoid flare-ups and the pain they cause.
The inflammation and pain associated with gout are caused by sharp crystals that form when you have too much uric acid in your blood. The crystals tend to gather at the joint of your big toe because it’s far from your heart, and it’s the sharp edges that irritate and inflame your joint.
Medical treatment is necessary when you have gout, but you can take action to lessen the number of flares you have and to ease the symptoms.
You may be wondering why you have high levels of uric acid, and the answer could be because of your diet. Some foods have high levels of a substance called purine — for example, red meat, seafood, and organ meats. Purines increase uric acid levels and increase the chances that you’ll have flare ups.
Other foods can increase levels of inflammation, making gout flares worse. Aim to limit sugary foods and also alcohol.
You also can add more low-purine foods into your diet, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. For example, cherries have been shown to reduce uric acid levels, and they make a tasty snack or a sweet addition to oatmeal or yogurt.
It’s so simple, but also so effective, to drink more water and keep your body adequately hydrated. Drinking more water helps flush the uric acid out of your body, and that, in turn, reduces the likelihood of crystals forming.
Consumnig more water during a flare-up is helpful to shorten it, and drinking more between flares can help prevent them.
In addition to putting more stress on your joints, being overweight or obese can increase the levels of uric acid in your blood. Losing weight can both reduce uric acid levels and ease the load on your joints.
You want to lose weight slowly though, as rapid weight loss can increase the amount of uric acid in your body and make gout flares worse.
When you have a flare-up, ice can reduce inflammation and help relieve pain. Use an ice pack for about 20 minutes at a time, several times per day. You should also elevate the affected joint to help reduce swelling.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to use over-the-counter pain relievers during a gout flare. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can be effective. Be cautious with how frequently you take them, though, as NSAIDs are designed to be used occasionally rather than frequently.
People with some conditions, such as kidney disease, shouldn’t take NSAIDs, and you should know that these pain relievers also may interfere with certain drugs. Talk to your doctor to make sure NSAIDs are safe for you.
It’s important to talk to your provider at The Woodlands Sports Medicine Centre about your gout symptoms. We want you to stay active and healthy, but that’s difficult to do when you’re experiencing gout flare-ups often.
We can help by working with you to develop a treatment plan and making specific recommendations for your situation. If you’re struggling with gout pain, schedule an appointment today at the location that’s convenient for you.
