If you’ve had a gout flare up you instantly know two things: You never want another, and it’s something you will have to deal with the rest of your life. Part of avoiding them, is figuring out the things that set off your symptoms. Here’s a rundown of the usual suspects and what you need to do.
Some Causes of Gout
Foods
Some can raise the level of uric acid in your body, and that’s what causes uric acid buildup, and that causes a gout flare up! If you can limit them, you could head off another flare.
Red meat and seafood. Meat (especially organ meats like liver and sweetbreads) and seafood (like fish and shellfish) can be high in chemicals called purines. When your body breaks them down, your level of uric acid goes up.
Instead, go for protein from low-fat dairy products, like skim milk, cheese, and yogurt. You can also eat more beans, soy, and other plant-based forms of protein.
Sweetened drinks. Sodas and juices flavored with fruit sugars, like high-fructose corn syrup, can trigger gout flares.
For a sweet substitute, switch to flavored water or green tea, and this shouldn’t raise your odds of an attack. In general, make sure to drink a lot of fluids. Aim for at least eight glasses a day, with at least half being water.
Alcohol. Liquor and especially beer can make you more likely to have gout. You don’t have to give up on cocktail hour forever, but your best bet is to limit how much you drink. Your doctor can help you figure out how much is OK.
Health Conditions and Treatments
Certain drugs, health problems, and lifestyle choices can trigger gout, too.
Medications. Aspirin, certain diuretics for high blood pressure (and other conditions), and drugs for people who had organ transplants can trigger gout. After a flare, go over all the medicines you take with your doctor. If needed, they should be able to find another option.
Being overweight. When you slim down, you can protect yourself from another flare. Less pressure on your knees and feet will help prevent flares, too!
Fasting or crash diets. If you lose weight too quickly or fast, you could raise your chances of an attack. A crash diet often results in a spike of uric acid levels when you end the diet, often causing a flare up.
High blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease. These health conditions make you more likely to have gout, especially if you don’t get treatment. Work with your doctor to keep them under control.
Injuries or surgery. When your body is stressed or sick, you’re more likely to have a flare. Of course, you can’t always avoid this trigger. But if you need to have an operation, make sure your doctor knows you’ve had gout in the past.
Stress. Stress from any source can cause a flare up! It doesn’t have to be from an injury or surgery. Lowering stress through meditation is a proven technique.
Some Useful Solutions
Keep Track of Your Triggers
Gout triggers differ from person to person. Some people can eat a steak or drink an occasional beer with no problems. Others can’t tolerate a bite or a sip without a flare. So you need to learn what your triggers are.
Keep a diary of what you eat for a while. That way, you can go back and see whether you can link flares with specific foods. Then you’ll know what you really need to avoid.
A simple diary like this one works great, or find one that suits you!
You can also track when you get flare ups, as well as what treatments you have tried.
Along with avoiding triggers, here are other things you can do to stay healthy and prevent flares:
See your doctor regularly. You may need to adjust your dose of gout medication over time.
Always have medicine on hand for flares. The faster you take it, the sooner you can control the symptoms.
Eat a heart-healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and plant proteins (like beans and nuts). Cut down on processed foods (like white bread, cakes, and candy).
Get regular exercise.
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