Gout is a form of arthritis that leads to inflammation and pain in certain joints. It most commonly affects the big toe joints but can occur in the knees, ankles, hands, and wrists. A gout flare happens when uric acid crystals form after eating certain foods.
A diet high in foods that have purines is a disaster for someone living with gout. Uric acid results from the body breaking down purines, but not everyone gets rid of it through urine. A buildup of uric acid leads to crystal formation in the joints and pain that makes it difficult to function.
Luckily, you can change your diet to avoid painful gout flares. Dr. David Deiboldt and the Beltsville Foot and Ankle Center team in Beltsville, Maryland, provide tips and tricks to keep gout from taking over your life. Dr. Deiboldt is a podiatry specialist offering various gout flares and pain treatments.
Gout is a painful type of arthritis that happens when you have too much uric acid. Uric acid is simply the result of purines breaking down from the food you eat. You risk a gout flare when your body doesn't excrete uric acid quickly enough through the kidneys.
Surprisingly, your diet is a significant factor in developing gout, especially if you eat foods that are high in purines. The following foods are absolute no-nos for people living with gout due to their high purine content:
Eating a diet high in these foods causes higher uric acid levels in the blood. When your kidneys don't eliminate it fast enough, uric acid crystals begin to form in the joints, causing various painful symptoms that affect your quality of life.
Living with gout means a diet change to avoid foods that contain high levels of purines. Without the purines, uric acid levels can't spike and lead to crystal formation in the joints. A low-purine diet is essential for managing gout attacks and may put you into remission.
Several foods contribute to lower uric acid levels, but you need to know which ones they are. Four specific foods can lower uric acid levels in the body, and they include:
Skim milk is an excellent option for gout because it hurries the excretion of uric acid and reduces inflammation from uric acid within the joints. You don't need to go overboard on milk; however, drink it as an alternative to sugary drinks or alcohol.
There's nothing better than a sweet cherry on a summer day. Cherries have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and they may also reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. Plus, they're an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients.
Coffee isn't just a way to wake up in the morning — it's an essential tool for dealing with gout. Coffee helps to slow the breakdown of purines, lessening uric acid in the blood. It also speeds up the excretion of uric acid to reduce the chances of a gout flare.
Drinking water throughout the day is essential for kidney function, which in turn helps with gout. The kidneys excrete uric acid, so keeping them hydrated speeds up the process and prevents kidney damage contributing to gout flares.
You can also enjoy most fruits and vegetables, even those that contain more purines. Fruits and vegetables usually don't contribute to gout flares and have the nutrients your body requires to stay healthy.
Most whole grains are also great for your body and are low in purines, making them an excellent choice for a gout diet. Avoid oats high in purines that contribute to gout flares.
The ideal way to manage gout is through your diet and by lowering purine intake. However, you may still have flares and pain, so we offer various treatments and tips.
Dr. Deiboldt recommends over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to reduce discomfort and alleviate symptoms during a gout flare. He may also prescribe other medications, such as corticosteroids or uric acid-controlling drugs.
You can also use heat or ice during a flare to help reduce swelling and pain. Ice is usually better at the beginning of a flare to reduce inflammation. At the same time, heat allows the muscles and tissue to relax for pain control.
In addition to a low-purine diet and maintaining a healthy weight, these interventions significantly reduce painful gout flares.
Call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Deiboldt at Beltsville Foot and Ankle Care for gout treatments, or request one on our website.
