Gout

Uric acid is found naturally in our bodies, but it can be a problem if there is too much of it. Too much uric acid that is not secreted away in the kidneys can cause uric acid buildup in the joints and tissues of the body. As the uric acid accumulates, it forms sharp crystals that irritate and damage the surrounding soft tissues, inducing sensations of severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. 

Uric acid is naturally produced when our body breaks down a substance called purine, which is found in certain foods and drinks that we consume. Normally, the excess uric acid is excreted by the kidneys. High levels of uric acid in the body aren’t ideal, but it doesn’t always lead to the development of gout. Gout will only occur if uric acid accumulates and solidifies in the joints and their surrounding tissues.

You are at higher risk of developing gout if:

 • You are male

 • You are obese

 • You are a woman who has entered menopause

 • You have family members with gout 

 • You have certain chronic health issues 

such as high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, compromised kidney function, etc

 • You sustained a joint injury or had joint surgery 

 • You drink alcohol

 • You use medications like diuretics, aspirin, and beta blockers

 • You consume a diet high in purines and fructose (red meat, seafood, cola, processed breakfast cereal, etc)

There are some things you can do to prevent or minimize your chances of getting gout, such as:

 • Eating a varied and balanced diet low in processed sugar and limited intake of foods high in purines (red meat, organ meat, some types of seafood)

 • Drinking less alcohol (moderate intake is OK)

 • Maintaining a healthy weight

 • Managing stress properly

 • Drinking enough water

If you are already diagnosed with gout, you can still follow these common-sense guidelines to prevent a future attack or flare-up. You can also take specific medications to prevent future gout attacks if self-care strategies aren’t effective enough.  

Everybody is different, so warning signs will naturally vary among individuals. A minority of sufferers don’t get any warning signals from their bodies at all. For most people, however, indicators that an attack is coming may manifest as burning, itching, or tingling of the affected joint. Others may feel mild stiffness and soreness before the pain starts. After you have had several flare-ups, you will notice a pattern in how your body feels before the onset of pain symptoms. Only by recognizing the warning signs can you act quickly enough to limit the severity and duration of each gout attack. 

You can try the following home treatment strategies as long as your symptoms aren’t too severe:

 • Cold packs or compresses (don’t do this if you have diabetes or a nerve disorder)

 • Rest the body part with the affected joint and refrain from moving it too much

 • Limit your intake of purine-rich foods, alcohol, and sugary drinks

 • Cherries (in extract form, as a whole food, as a no-sugar-added juice)

 • Magnesium supplements

 • Ginger (boil it until the water attains a golden hue, then drink the infused water)

 • Nettle tea

 • Dandelion tea, extract, or supplement

 • Hibiscus tea, extract, or supplement

 • OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, but not aspirin

You should see your doctor right away if you experience the following:

 • Sudden pain that is intense enough to prevent you from doing your daily responsibilities

 • Fever and chills

 • Symptoms that don’t improve or worsen after 2 days

 • Symptoms that continue past one week or longer

While it’s true that gout flare-ups that don’t get treatment will eventually go away after some time, the condition itself has not healed. It is important to understand that this is a chronic joint disorder that is characterized by sudden resurgence and remission of symptoms throughout a patient’s lifetime. Even if your gout is far from severe, some lifestyle changes still need to be made to prevent future flare-ups from recurring with increasing frequency and intensity. With a proactive approach to treatment and self-care, it is possible to keep gout attacks rare and mild.  

Yes, gout that is allowed to worsen can have compounding negative effects on your overall health. Complications from gout may include but are not limited to: 

 • Tophi—lumps of uric acid crystals that have formed around the affected joint(s) and under the skin, giving the joint a deformed appearance

 • Kidney stones

 • Recurrent gout—flare-ups occur at a higher frequency and more intensity 

 • Permanent joint damage

There are many effective medications for treating gout, such as: 

 • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)—ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, celecoxib

 • Corticosteroids—injectable or oral tablet for pain and inflammation 

 • Colchicine for pain and inflammation

 • Medicines for blocking uric acid production—allopurinol, febuxostat

 • Medicines to improve uric acid excretion—probenecid, lesinurad 

 • Medicines to break down uric acid—pegloticase     

Though gout is still a chronic health condition without a cure, constant pain and misery don’t have to be inevitable. As long as targeted treatment is combined with conscientious lifestyle habits, you can keep your feet healthy and pain-free well into the future.