Even though the form of arthritis known as gout has a reputation for afflicting the wealthy, you don’t feel very rich when a flare of the disease hits in the middle of your rounds of shopping and partying during the holiday season.
You want to rush around like everyone else and dig into the party trays and drinks. You don’t want to sit out all the fun.
Gout develops when your body can’t completely process substances called purines, which are found in all foods but are more concentrated in some. When you digest purines, they form uric acid, which can crystallize and lodge in the joints, particularly the big toe joint.
Mariola Rivera, DPM, Lisa Shah, DPM, and our team at Aesthetic Podiatry & Sports Medicine Center want to help you manage gout this holiday season. Whether you live or work in New York City or Westchester County, we’re available for gout diagnosis and treatment at our offices in White Plains and Purchase, New York.
How can you stay gout-free until after the New Year and beyond? These five tips help prevent flare-ups during this year’s festivities.
That means water, of course. Staying hydrated is always important for your health, but it’s doubly important if you have gout.
Healthy drinks, such as water, coffee, or tea, help your kidney flush out uric acid before it forms crystals. Without sufficient hydration, the uric acid levels climb, crystals form, and soon you have a gout attack.
Drink extra water and other non-sugary beverages if you do have alcohol. Usually alcohol is a no-no for gout but you may be able to indulge in one or two toasts if you drink water before and after.
Your kidneys process alcohol before they process uric acid. That means if you drink too much alcohol, your uric acid levels rise.
Depending on your triggers, you may be able to enjoy a drink or two over the holidays. But you might do better if you choose alcohol-free mocktails. Always add an extra glass of water or two to your hydration plan if you do indulge.
The dessert table tempts, and indulging in festive sweets is part of the holiday fun, but too many cookies or candies can spike your blood sugar levels.
High blood glucose not only increases uric acid levels, it initiates a vicious cycle, where high uric acid leads to high blood glucose, too. This is especially true if you’re overweight or obese. Limit sugary food and drinks. Especially avoid those made with high-fructose corn syrup, which can trigger gout attacks.
Even though purines are chemicals that occur naturally in all plants and animal protein, they’re the substance that sets you down the uric acid-to-gout attack cascade. Do as much as you can to minimize or avoid purines by avoiding:
Focus on low-purine protein sources, such as chicken, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Cherries are a delicious food that may help to lower uric acid levels in the body.
Even though you want to rest and relax during the holidays, somehow you’re busier than ever. You find yourself racing out to stores, visiting family, and planning gatherings. All these extra activities amp up the pressure in your day-to-day life.
Stress actually contributes to higher uric acid levels in your body. So relax your mind as well as your body when managing gout. Try yoga, mindfulness exercises, or meditation to get out of stress mode.
If you do have an attack, don’t panic. At Aesthetic Podiatry & Sports Medicine Center in White Plains and Purchase, New York, we help you manage gout flares with medications and treatments.
Contact us today to make an appointment at our nearest location so you have fun during the holidays and stay free of gout flare-ups.
