WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT GOUT ARTHRITIS?

Although you can’t predict when a gout attack will occur, there are several things you can
do to try to prevent an attack. Developing a healthy lifestyle is one of these things.The lifestyle
tips below play a major role in preventing a gout attack. As an added bonus, they may also help
prevent some complications of gout such as kidney disease and heart disease.
Limit alcohol and foods rich in purines. When you have gout, you should avoid purine-
rich foods such as fatty meats and shellfish. Also, limit alcohol—especially beer—because it can
increase your uric acid levels. The good news is that eating certain foods, such as cherries,
coffee, and foods rich in vitamin C, can help prevent gout attacks. Read our in-depth article for
more on a diet for gout. Also, as part of any healthy diet, you should drink plenty of water. This
is particularly important if you have gout since staying hydrated can help flush out uric acid and
prevent uric acid crystals from forming.
Cut out the stress in your life. Stress may trigger a gout attack, and it can exacerbate
symptoms of a gout attack. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate all of your stress, there
are a number of ways to help minimize it. If you’re experiencing a gout attack, reducing your
stress can also help you focus on things other than the pain.
Exercise frequently. Staying physically active is part of a healthy lifestyle, and it may
help prevent a future gout attack. Among the many benefits of exercising with gout, it helps you
lose weight (if you need to). Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for gout, but if you
already have gout, keeping a healthy weight may help prevent a gout attack. Exercise can also
help you effectively manage stress.
If you’re currently experiencing a gout attack, you shouldn’t exercise until your pain and
inflammation are reduced. If you’re new to exercise or haven’t exercised in a long time, talk to
your doctor about how to be active. If you develop new symptoms when exercising, let him or
her know about them.
Get enough rest and sleep. Both rest and sleep are important when you have gout.
Getting enough sleep—aim for about 8 hours every night—can help you manage stress and feel
better overall. Getting enough rest can help when you’re having a gout attack, too. A gout attack
can be incredibly painful, and it may be hard to move when you’re having an attack. Resting the
affected joint during an attack can help you manage gout symptoms.
Try certain herbal and dietary supplements. It’s thought that some herbal and dietary
supplements can help prevent gout. Turmeric—which can be used for other inflammatory
conditions in addition to gout—may help reduce inflammation.
More research needs to be done on the effectiveness of these supplements for gout. But if
you’re interested in trying herbal supplements, ask your doctor before taking them; they may
interact with other medications you’re taking.
 Gout is an incredibly painful condition, but making these healthy lifestyle changes may
help prevent gout attacks. You don’t have to make these lifestyle changes all at once. Take your
time, and see which changes work best for you. Attacks of gout are most painful during the first
24 hours. Gout generally affects the big toe, and even the weight of a blanket can feel
unbearable. If it is left untreated, gout can spread to other joints in the body, in both the upper
and lower limbs.
Other treatments for gout include the following:
 Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), colchicine, and steroid medication to give immediate
relief to the symptoms during an attack.
 Certain medications such as allopurinol to reduce the levels of uric acid in the body.

Source : www.practicalpainmanagement.com/