Lifestyle Changes You Need to Adopt to Prevent Gout Attacks

 

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs in the joints when uric acid builds up in the body and forms crystals, causing pain, inflammation, and swelling. While it is most common in the big toe joint, it might also occur in other joints like the elbow, wrist, knee, ankle,  and finger joints.

Gout attacks can be sudden, incredibly painful, and can limit your mobility for several days.

Most importantly, however, untreated gout attacks and complications from gout can lead to serious health problems that may be life-threatening.

According to healthcare professionals and virtual doctors, the best way to prevent gout attacks is through healthy lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Gout Attacks

Here are the lifestyle changes you need to adopt to prevent gout attacks:

● Maintain a Healthy Weight & Diet

Your risk of experiencing a gout attack can increase significantly if you are overweight or obese. Losing and maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the levels of uric acid in your body, which allows you to prevent gout attacks.

Similarly, eating a healthy diet is also quite important. Avoid sugary foods and other foods that are high in purines, such as red meat and seafood, because purines are broken down by your body to form uric acid.

Instead, eat a diet that is rich in whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.

● Keep Hydrated

Good hydration is important if you want to reduce the level of uric acid in your body. By drinking plenty of water and other fluids, you can help your body flush out uric acid through urine, and prevent gout attacks from happening in the first place.

● Take Medication as Prescribed

Your healthcare professional or virtual doctor has likely prescribed medication to manage your gout symptoms or lower the levels of uric acid in your body. You must take these medications as prescribed to reduce the risk of a gout attack.

● Regular Exercise

As mentioned earlier, you must maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise can help you do exactly that. It will reduce your weight and the risk of gout attacks. However, you must avoid high-impact exercises, because they can cause joint injuries that further complicate your gout.

● Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is a rich source of purines, which can increase the levels of uric acid in your body. By limiting your consumption of alcohol or avoiding it altogether, you can prevent the build-up of uric acid, and therefore gout attacks.

● Manage Stress

Stress can easily trigger a gout attack, which means managing your stress is an excellent lifestyle change to prevent gout attacks. Things like practicing yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises are all helpful for managing stress.

 

 

Summing Up

Ultimately, adopting these lifestyle changes can help you prevent gout attacks effectively. Regardless, if you experience symptoms of gout or a gout attack, it is crucial to consult your healthcare professional or get a virtual doctor consultation.

These professionals can help you create a personalized treatment plan, with lifestyle changes, that meets your individual needs.

We highly recommend calling TelMDCare at 800-230-2050, to set up a virtual doctor appointment for the best virtual doctor consultation for gout attacks today.