Managing life with gout (diet, medications, etc.)
Gout is a common type of arthritis, initially caused by high blood levels of uric acid. Characterized by inflammation, swelling, and stiffness of joints, it can be extremely painful. Due to a fluctuation in the uric acid level in your body, you can have painful flare-ups, which may last from days to weeks. If your uric acid level remains high for a long time, you might experience chronic gout with frequent symptoms. To keep gout under control, you need to learn the right management techniques that help keep gout symptoms at bay and reduce the risk of future attacks. Following are the changes or precautions that can help you manage life with gout- Check your diet A balanced healthy diet is a prerequisite for managing gout. Therefore, choose your food items wisely and ensure you follow a well-balanced diet. As being overweight increases the risk of developing gout, you need to lose weight and reduce your calorie intake. Foods rich in purines like meat, sardines, mackerel, chickpeas, shellfish, etc. increase the uric acid levels and worsen gout symptoms; so limit your intake of such foods. Avoid refined carbohydrates like biscuits, white bread, and cookies and say no to artificial fruit juices and soft drinks.