Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid around the joints. This condition is particularly painful and can affect either one joint, referred to as acute gout, or several joints, known as chronic gout. This disease may develop due to several conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes or obesity, in which uric acid cannot properly flush from the body. The joints will both look and feel inflamed, causing a throbbing or crushing feeling, as well as feeling warm. Treatment usually includes prescription anti-inflammatories in tandem with a low-purine diet. This includes drinks, as certain types can exacerbate your symptoms.
Step 1
Stop drinking beer. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, men who consume beer are twice as likely of developing gout or worsening already present symptoms. According to a 2004 study published in "The Lancet Medical Journal," males with no history of gout but who regularly drank beer, exhibited gout attacks by 50 percent each day.
Step 2
Limit all alcoholic beverages, such as wine and hard liquor. If you're not experiencing a gout attack, you may be able to safely consume one or two 5-oz. serving of wine.
Step 3
Opt for water instead of liquor. Drinking between 8 to 16 glasses of water a day promotes the removal of uric acid from the body -- an important process for gout sufferers.
Step 4
Add fresh herbs, such as mint, to water instead of drinking sugar-laden soda if you want a flavored beverage. A 2010 study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" found that fructose-rich drinks increased the risk of gout in women. Gout rarely appears in women, so if you have it, soda and other processed beverages can trigger an attack.
References
- PubMed Health: Gout
- John Hopkins Medicine Health Alerts: Gout and Soda -- What's the Connection?
- "The Journal of the American Medical Association"; Fructose-Rich Beverages and Risk of Gout in Women; Hyon Choi, M.D, et al.; November 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Gout Diet
- The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Alcohol Increases the Risk of Gout
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