Gout flare-ups can be excruciatingly painful and they can lead to a large array of symptoms including swelling, inflammation, warmth, tenderness, etc. in your joints. You can control gout symptoms with the help of medications. Additionally, some changes in your diet and reducing stress levels can also help with managing gout symptoms.
However, there are certain factors that can make your gout symptoms worse. You have to be aware of them for effectively managing the symptoms caused by this condition. Some of the important factors that can make your gout symptoms worse are listed below:
Foods High In Purines
Purines are compounds naturally present in certain foods and the processing of this compound by the body can lead to the production of uric acid. In normal cases, uric acid will be eliminated from the human body through urine. But in people suffering from gout, the elimination of this waste product will not be proper which leads to an increase in the levels of uric acid in the blood. This can result in the formation of urate crystals that can accumulate in the joints thereby leading to acute pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
People suffering from gout should take great care to avoid foods that are high in purines to prevent the flare-ups resulting from this condition. Some foods bad for gout are organ meats, seafood (sardines, shellfish, mussels, scallops, etc.), game meats, bacon, pork, and turkey.
Alcohol
Alcohol is found to interfere with the elimination of uric acid from the body. So if you are suffering from gout, then it is better to limit the use of alcohol to keep your gout symptoms in check and to prevent this condition from getting worse.
Sugary Beverages
Sugary beverages can increase the amount of fructose in your blood. High levels of blood sugar are often associated with an increase in the levels of uric acid in the body.
Medications
Certain medications can also trigger gout flare-ups. Some of them include chlorthalidone, spironolactone, indapamide, metolazone, and hydrochlorothiazide. If you are suffering from gout, it is important to tell your doctor so that he/she can avoid such medications that can make your gout symptoms worse.
Dehydration
If there is not enough water in your body, then it can disrupt the elimination of uric acid thereby increasing the intensity of your gout symptoms.
Other factors that can trigger gout flare-ups are:
- Stress
- Injury and inflammation
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Surgery
- Extreme weather conditions
You can keep your gout symptoms in check by effectively managing these factors. It can also be helpful for preventing the further development of this condition.
