3 Reasons Why You Keep Getting Gout Flare-Ups

Gout was historically called “the disease of kings.” It was linked to the indulgent lifestyles of the royal class. It didn’t die out with monarchies, though. Instead, gout is on the rise.

Between 1990 and 2021, the case rates of gout across the world doubled. If you’re one of the people who has been affected by this painful condition, you’re probably wondering what’s behind your flare-ups. 

We can help you find out. At Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute, our team specializes in treating gout. 

At our offices in American Fork and Saratoga Springs, Utah, we can evaluate your feet and talk with you about your symptoms. This allows us to develop a treatment plan to help you limit future flare-ups. 

For most people, painful gout attacks happen because of a confluence of lifestyle and overall health factors. The most common are:

#1: You’re drinking a lot

Studies have shown that increased alcohol consumption is linked to an increased likelihood of gout. Beer and cider seem to be particularly bad culprits. 

Why does consuming more alcohol make you more likely to have a gout attack? The answer comes down to purines. Purines are compounds that your body turns into uric acid as it metabolizes them. 

Too much uric acid can cause sharp crystals to form in your joints, especially your big toe. That causes the gout flare-up symptoms. 

Because alcohol contains purines, drinking a lot of it can spike your risk of a gout attack. 

#2: You’re eating a lot of purine-rich foods

Alcohol isn’t the only source of purines. Some foods also contain high concentrations of these compounds. Those include: 

• Anchovies
• Bacon
• Codfish
• Haddock
• Herring
• Mussels
• Organ meats (e.g., liver)
• Sardines
• Scallops
• Trout
• Turkey
• Veal
• Venison

Other shellfish like oysters and shrimp have moderate levels of purines, as do meats like beef, pork, and chicken. 

To control the purine levels you get from your diet, mix in plenty of produce and grains. 

#3: You’re affected by gout risk factors

Some people have a higher risk of getting gout. That’s true if you:

• Have a family history of gout
• Are overweight
• Take water pills
• Have certain health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

In short, some gout risk factors are under your control, while others aren’t. Fortunately, you have the power to make choices that will limit your risk of future gout attacks. 

Getting care to prevent gout flare-ups

At our office, our team can assess your affected joint to figure out if the pain is coming from gout or another source. We might take a fluid sample to check for high levels of uric acid, for example.

If it is gout, we work with you to manage it. That usually means treatment to moderate the pain you’re currently feeling, paired with lifestyle modifications. The latter helps you lower your risk of future gout flare-ups. We work with you to help your body better manage your uric acid levels.

If you keep getting gout flare-ups, contact us to make an appointment by calling (801) 756-4200 today.