About Uric Acid and Gout

What is gout?

A common question asked amongst men is, can you get gout in your foot? The answer is yes, it is one of the most common places gout occurs. Gout is a common form of arthritis that causes a sudden and painful swelling of joints, usually starting in the big toe. This type of flare up can be described as a fiery sensation, producing redness and tenderness in the joints. Physicians can diagnose this condition and there are many treatment methods and lifestyle changes to help.

What are the symptoms?

First symptoms are sudden, intense pain and swelling of joints, where 50% of first gout attacks occur in the big toe, but this can occur in any joint. The pain can persist for the next 4-12 hours and lingering discomfort can last for the next few days and weeks. The symptoms may go away for some period of time before another attack occurs. You may experience redness and limited motion in the affected joints.

How is gout diagnosed?

Do you think you have gout? If so, visit your doctor to explain your symptoms and they can analyze the amount of uric acid in your blood. They may extract fluid from the affected joint to study the amount of uric acid crystals. They will also observe the range of motion in your affected joints and perform advanced imaging tests to see causes of swelling. This is also your time to ask your doctor about uric acid and gain any knowledge you can.

What causes gout?

Historically known as the “Disease of Kings”, gout was thought to be caused by an overindulgence in food and wine that only the affluent could afford. Now we know that gout is caused by a buildup of excess uric acid in the blood, which accumulates into crystals between the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain. Uric acid comes from the metabolism of purines found in our bodies and in foods that we consume. An excess of uric acid can be caused by the overproduction of uric acid or lack of excretion by the kidneys. With that being said, controlling your uric acid levels should be key if you consume a lot of purine-rich foods like red meat.

Treatments

There are several ways to manage gout. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include naproxen and indocin, can decrease inflammation and pain in the joints. Colchicine has been an effective treatment for early gout attacks to reduce pain. Corticosteroids are effective for those that cannot take NSAIDs for pain management. There are also Urate Lowering Therapies (ULTs) that can remove excess uric acid from the blood. An effective treatment for one person may not be the same for another. It’s important to speak to a physician and find out what could work best for you, given drug-drug interactions and other comorbidities. In general to reduce the build up of uric acid and avoid gout all together. You have to watch what you eat, its never good to have to much of anything.

Find out more about treatments here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372903

What lifestyle changes can you make?

You may be wondering what's the best cure for high uric acid levels or gout. Many prefer self-management strategies to fight the disease, rather than medication. Changes to diet, exercise, weight, and natural therapies can help you through. These can include:

Limit intake of purine-rich foods (red meat, organ meats, seafood), alcoholic beverages, and sugary drinks.
Drink plenty of water and prioritize complex carbohydrate-rich foods (vegetables, legumes, fruits) and healthy fats.
Exercise regularly (step goal, daily movement) and maintain a healthy weight.
Consider certain foods and supplements rich in antioxidants that can potentially lower uric acid levels: Cherries, Vitamin C, Coffee bean