Gout is Back!!
Gout used to be known as the “King of Diseases”, and sadly is on a rapid rise in the UK increasing by two-thirds since 1997-2012.
So what is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that affects the joints and is caused by a build up of uric acid excreted by the kidney, which produces sodium urate crystals that can form clumps in the joints causing severe pain. Before the pain starts you may see reddening of the skin and little white lumps just under the skin, the pain then can start up to 10-12 days after that.
The UK’s rise has been put down to the increasing obesity rates, high blood pressure and a rich diet of red meat, seafood and alcohol.
If you have a diet high in the following, it may be worth balancing it with a few more other foods to help alleviate this build up of uric acid:
It is important to be a healthy weight, so losing weight can help as well as a balanced diet, low alcohol intake and regular exercise in order to help reduce the chances of getting gout.
If you think you have got gout use an ice pack on sore, red skin & see doctor for medication to help with immediate symptoms as these can be excruciating. Then it’s time for a change in lifestyle to prevent a repeat occurrence and get it under control.
Any help in this area please give me a call to discuss.
Gout used to be known as the “King of Diseases”, and sadly is on a rapid rise in the UK increasing by two-thirds since 1997-2012.
So what is gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis that affects the joints and is caused by a build up of uric acid excreted by the kidney, which produces sodium urate crystals that can form clumps in the joints causing severe pain. Before the pain starts you may see reddening of the skin and little white lumps just under the skin, the pain then can start up to 10-12 days after that.
The UK’s rise has been put down to the increasing obesity rates, high blood pressure and a rich diet of red meat, seafood and alcohol.
If you have a diet high in the following, it may be worth balancing it with a few more other foods to help alleviate this build up of uric acid:
- Red meat, particularly kidneys, liver, veal and venison
- Seafood, particularly mackerel, sardines, herring, mussels and scallops
- Plant foods like red kidney beans, lentils, spinach and asparagus. Even yeast based foods like marmite and quorn.
- Alcohol including beer, stout, whisky and vodka
It is important to be a healthy weight, so losing weight can help as well as a balanced diet, low alcohol intake and regular exercise in order to help reduce the chances of getting gout.
If you think you have got gout use an ice pack on sore, red skin & see doctor for medication to help with immediate symptoms as these can be excruciating. Then it’s time for a change in lifestyle to prevent a repeat occurrence and get it under control.
Any help in this area please give me a call to discuss.
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