Understanding Gout

Simply it’s a form of Arthritis a disease that affects the joints and causes pain and inflammation. Some forms of arthritis inflame joints, while others don’t. Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. It’s due to a crystal called uric acid.

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Gout causes pain and swelling in one or more joints. It typically affects the big toe. But it’s also found in other joints, including the knee, ankle, foot, hand, wrist, and elbow.

Diagnosis and Management

When our body has extra uric acid, sharp crystals may form in the big toe or other joints, causing episodes of swelling and pain called gout attacks. Uric crystals may form nodules, known as tophi, on a joint.

A simple blood test is sufficient to find out whether one has increased URIC ACID levels or not. Gout is treatable with medications and changes in diet and lifestyle.

Gout Management Through Lifestyle and Food Habits Change

Healthy lifestyle choices reduce the risk of Gout and Arthritis. Daily exercise and walking are very helpful. Gout is a chronic, or long-term, condition.

A healthy diet for a person with gout should include all the food groups and be rich in nutrient-dense, minimally processed ingredients. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Diets that include the following foods may contribute to lower uric acid levels:

• Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese, plant oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, and canola oil.
• Pulses, including beans, peas, and lentils.
• Vegetables like mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli.
• Fruits especially those with high fiber and low sugar content, such as cherries, citrus fruits, and berries.
• Whole grains like quinoa, barley, buckwheat, oats, and brown rice.
• Nuts such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and macadamia nuts.
• Soy products, including tofu, tempeh, and edamame.
• Lean proteins, such as chicken, turkey, and eggs.
• Plenty of water, coffee, and lemon.

Overall, a plant-based diet is more beneficial than a high-fat diet. This can help stabilize uric acid levels.

Conclusion

Gout is a chronic disease and can be managed only through a healthy lifestyle and foods that are less in purine which is the main reason for increasing Uric Acid. Anyhow one should maintain active joints. Vitamin C in any form is very much helpful in managing Uric Acid. Drink plenty of lemon juice and water on a daily basis. Be active and exercise regularly.

Mr. Anil Kumar Srivastava is a Pharmaceutical Professional, Blogger, Economist, and Writer.