Gouty arthritis, a condition characterized by uric acid deposits in the joints or soft tissues, causes pain, swelling, redness, stiffness and heat. The high concentrations of uric acid cause kidney stones in approximately 10 to 40 percent of gout patients, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Kidney stones cause sudden pain in the side or back, nausea, and vomiting. Lifestyle changes and avoiding certain medications and foods may help prevent kidney stones in gouty arthritis patients.
Diet Restrictions
Uric acid forms as a byproduct of purine breakdown, a chemical found in the blood and in certain foods. Although diet therapy has only a mild effect on uric acid levels, avoiding high-purine foods in moderation may be helpful. High-purine foods include red meat, broth, gravies, seafood, beer, baked goods and organ meats, according to UMMC. Taking 500mg of vitamin C daily reduces uric acid levels but may not be effective in treating or preventing gout. Losing weight may also decrease the level of uric acid in the body, according to MayoClinic.com. However, fasting or crash dieting may have the opposite effect. Diabetics should manage their blood sugar carefully, as well.
Avoiding Dehydration
Patients should drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated beverages to flush uric acid crystals from the body and prevent kidney stones, according to MayoClinic.com. To prevent kidney stones, patients should take in enough fluids to produce about 2.6 quarts a day of pale yellow urine, notes the clinic. Avoid alcohol, as it promotes purine metabolism and uric acid production.
Medication Precautions
Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, medications prescribed to increase removal of uric acid, may reduce the risk of gout, according to MayoClinic.com. However, they increase the level of uric acid in the urine and may cause a rash, stomach pain and kidney stones. Allopurinol, on the other hand, lowers the level of uric acid in the blood by blocking uric acid production, making it more appropriate for patients with a history of uric acid kidney stones, according to The Merck Manual of Health & Aging.
