Common Gout Triggers

Gout is one of the most common and painful foot problems that is caused due to abnormal metabolism of uric acid in the body. Due to this condition, the uric acid gets deposited in the joints, specially of the big toe. Therefore, in simplest terms, gout can be defined as the inflammation and pain of the big toe that occurs suddenly. People of any age group can contract this disease; and interestingly, this condition is commonly found in men, than in women.

Gout Causes

As mentioned above, this condition occurs when excess uric acid gets built up in the body. When the level of uric acid in blood increases, it gets converted into crystallized form and gets deposited in the extremities. The exact cause for this is unknown, however, there are several factors that result in this condition.

• Consuming alcohol
• Having a diet high in purines
• Taking certain hypertension medications, nicotinic acid, cyclosporine A, etc.
• Being obese
• Losing weight rapidly
• Suffering from hypothyroidism, tumors
• Having undergone surgery or organ transplant
• Genetics
• Exposure to lead

It should be noted that diet and consuming alcohol top the list of common gout triggers. There are several foods that lead to this condition and should be avoided to prevent gout.

Foods that Trigger Gout

Meat
Beef, bacon, bologna, chicken, goose, pork, pepperoni, pheasants, partridge, salami, sausage,scallops, turkey, veal, etc. Red meat of every kind and organs like liver, kidney, brain.

Fish
Anchovies, cod, crab, clams, herring, mackerel, mussels, salmon, shrimp, scallops, sardines, trout, etc.

Alcohol
Last, but not the least, gout and alcohol are closely related to each other and consuming any form of alcohol causes gout. Among the rest, beer and whiskey top the list in causing gout.

Vegetables/Fruits
Asparagus, beans, cauliflower, lentils, mushrooms, peas, spinach, etc. Dried fruits and roasted nuts are also some of the foods to avoid.

Miscellaneous
Creamy sauces and gravies, soups, consommé, sweetbreads, hotdogs with any of the above mentioned ingredients; yeast containing products like bread, pastries, bagels; ice cream; dairy products like milk, butter, cream, cheese, all fried and greasy foods, etc.

Gout can be treated with the help of medications like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, etc. that help in relieving the pain and getting rid of the inflammation caused. However, along with the medications, you should also follow a proper diet to prevent this condition. You should keep a food and drinks dairy in order to have a list of foods that trigger off this condition and those safe to consume. Once you know that, it is easier to keep this condition under control.

Lastly, as a concluding note, one should remember that proper treatment and diet can help in keeping this condition at bay in the future. If you suffer from any symptoms of gout, you should consult the doctor make changes in the diet according to his recommendations. Take care!