Gout is more than just a painful joint condition—it’s a form of arthritis caused by an inherited disorder in the way the body processes certain proteins. While it can be extremely painful, the good news is that gout is now very treatable with proper care, diet, and medication.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a disease that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood (a condition called hyperuricemia) and forms sharp, needle-like crystals in the joints and other tissues. These crystals trigger painful inflammation, often in the big toe, but they can also appear in the ankle, knee, and even the ear.
Gout is not contagious and rarely affects women—except those who are post-menopausal—or children. In addition to joint pain, gout can also lead to kidney stones, high blood pressure, and other complications in some individuals.
What Causes Gout?
The root of the problem lies in uric acid, a waste product formed when the body breaks down a type of protein called purines. If too many purines are consumed or produced, and the kidneys can’t eliminate the excess uric acid, it builds up in the bloodstream and forms painful crystals.
Common places for these crystals to collect include the big toe joint and the outer ear. The body’s immune system reacts to these crystals like it would to any foreign invader—causing swelling, redness, and intense pain.
Even though uric acid crystals may be present in the body, something usually triggers an acute gout attack. This could be trauma, changes in diet, alcohol intake, or increased physical activity. Each person’s triggers may be different.
A Look Back: Gout Before Modern Treatment
Before the 1960s, gout was considered a devastating illness. Flare-ups caused intense fever, chills, and crippling pain that could last for weeks. Many people with chronic gout lost their ability to work and suffered long-term damage, including kidney and heart problems. Thankfully, modern medicine and a better understanding of the disease have changed all that.
Treatment Options
Today, several medications are available to both treat and prevent gout attacks:
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Anti-inflammatory medications (both steroidal and non-steroidal) are used to reduce pain and swelling.
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Uric acid-lowering drugs help prevent future attacks by reducing the amount of uric acid in the body.
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Some medications are designed specifically to stop white blood cells from attacking uric acid crystals during an attack.
Your doctor will help determine which medication is right based on whether you’re managing an acute attack or long-term prevention.
The Role of Diet in Gout Management
Diet plays a major role in controlling gout. Since uric acid is produced when purines are broken down, avoiding high-purine foods can help reduce flare-ups.
Foods High in Purines (Avoid):
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Organ meats (liver, kidneys, brain, sweetbreads)
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Anchovies, sardines, salmon
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Gravies, meat extracts
Foods with Moderate Purine Content (Limit):
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Beans, peas, lentils
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Asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, radishes, celery
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Poultry, seafood (crabs, oysters, lobsters)
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Bran, oatmeal, wheat germ
Low Purine Foods (Best Choices):
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Most vegetables
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Breads, cereals, and grains
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Eggs, nuts, milk, and dairy products
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Fats and oils, gelatin, sugars and sweets
Avoiding high-purine foods and drinking plenty of water can help your body flush out excess uric acid more efficiently.
Gout may be a chronic condition, but with the right combination of medication, lifestyle choices, and dietary changes, it is very manageable. If you suspect you have gout or are struggling with symptoms, talk to your doctor or a specialist who can help guide your treatment and prevent long-term damage.