Holiday Feasts and Gout: Everything You Need to Know
Gout is a type of arthritis that triggers intense foot pain. Usually, that pain begins in your big toe. But, unlike other forms of arthritis, gout isn’t a progressive condition that attacks your joints. Instead, gout comes in flares triggered by a buildup of uric acid in your bones.
When that acid builds up, urate crystals form in your blood, causing painful symptoms wherever they settle. And, since they frequently settle in your big toe joint, your podiatrist is usually the one to diagnose gout.
Symptoms and Causes of Gout
In addition to pain in your big toe, gout symptoms include redness and inflammation, as well as tenderness to touch. Sometimes the pain is so sharp, you can’t even handle the touch of a bed sheet on your foot or toe!
Dietary choices are often to blame for most gout flares. The holidays are a good time to discuss gout, since uric acid is formed when our body breaks down a chemical known as purine. This chemical is found in many animal proteins which is why a holiday meal full of protein is a major contributor to gout outbreaks.
Additionally, gout flares occur when uric acid becomes more concentrated in your body. Dehydrating substances, such as alcohol, can increase uric acid buildup in your body and raise your risk for a gout flare. If you want to enjoy a holiday feast free from gout pain, keep reading to learn what needs to stay off your Thanksgiving menu.
Holiday Foods to Avoid with Gout
To avoid a gout flare, steer clear of these following holiday favorites:
Animal Proteins
Meat, poultry and shellfish all contain purines, but organ meat is especially dangerous. That’s why eating a slice or two of turkey is pretty low risk. But you should avoid the giblets, especially if you’ve previously experienced gout attacks.
High Fat Add-Ons
When you eat too much fat - think creamy mashed potatoes or extra servings of gravy - you make it harder for your body to filter out uric acid, increasing your risk for a gout flare up the next morning.
Fructose
Staying away from juice and soda this holiday season makes sense, since fructose can actually trigger your body to produce more uric acid (and add on empty calories.) But certain fruits, like cherries, can also reduce acid concentrations. So be mindful of ‘healthier’ choices at the end of your holiday meal, as well.[i]
Alcohol
Studies suggest that drinking more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period increases your risk for a gout attack by 36%. [ii] Given the many other high-risk gout foods on most holiday menus, it may be wise to stick with non-alcoholic toasts this year.
Preventing and Treating Gout
In addition to watching your diet, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent gout attacks. And, if you have a painful gout attack, your Hamilton and Boone County podiatrist can also prescribe medication to take the edge off the burning pain in your big toe. Finally, we can discuss other lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, that can help you prevent future gout attacks.
But we can’t help you if we don’t see you. That’s why, if your toe starts hurting after a big meal, we urge you to schedule an immediate appointment in our office. Wait too long and the pain of a gout attack could be unbearable!