There is no question that the effects of gout can throw a huge wrench into someone’s weekly routine. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night with searing toe pain to take all the wind out of your sails during the day.
Night-time is not the right time to be worrying about gout. The best treatment by far is keeping a painful flare from happening in the first place. When it comes to how to prevent gout, a lot of comfortable rests can depend on what you ate while awake.
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by the formation of uric acid crystals around a joint, with the big toe being a favorite. This uric acid collects in the body via the breakdown of purines, a natural substance in cells and DNA. The more uric acid is dissolved in the blood, the more likely it is to form into crystals.
Fighting gout means keeping purines and uric acid levels low in the body. Doing this requires putting limits on certain types of foods:
What are much better alternatives for you? Look for whole-grain foods and high-fat dairy products, as well as plenty of vegetables. Also make sure to drink plenty of water. Some foods that might do especially well at fighting gout are cherries, coffee or tea, and vitamin C supplements.
Medications and other treatments might help you keep gout at bay. For more information on how to prevent gout and what forms of treatment might be best for you, contact the office of Dr. Kevin Powers at (812) 333-4422. We help the people of Bloomington, Bedford, and all surrounding areas have more comfortable feet and ankles—morning, noon, and night.
