Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, a treatment usually undergone for cancer, can unfortunately be a trigger of gout as well. If you experience gout attacks while undergoing chemotherapy, while it might not be possible to stop chemotherapy, it is possible to manage and treat your gout attacks and symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your gout, and he or she should be able to help.
Alcohol
While medications and injuries are common causes of gout, there are many lifestyle activities that can act as triggers for gout as well. One of the most common lifestyle activities that leads to gout is drinking too much alcohol.
While having one or two drinks is acceptable once in a while, alcohol consumption should be limited to a certain amount of drinks once or twice a week. If you drink too much, it is possible that your gout attacks will become more frequent and painful.
Sweet Drinks
Drinking too many sweet drinks, like soda and sweet tea, is another noted trigger of gout. Like stated above, these foods that trigger gout are okay in small serving sizes. However, it is generally recommended that patients who suffer from gout regularly should try to eliminate these from their diets.
If you are having trouble learning how to eliminate cola and sweet drinks from your diet, try keeping a food journal so that you can know when you want these foods and when you can replace them, while still keeping yourself full and happy, but without the worry of another gout attack.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water has a power impact on your body and has the potential to disturb many of your body’s normal functions. Another downside to being dehydrated is that it has been shown to cause gout attacks as well.
It is important to drink at least six to eight servings of water each day to help maintain your body’s hydration. However, to ensure that you stay far away from dehydrating yourself, especially on hot or work filled days, talk to your doctor about what amount of water is best to consume for your body and lifestyle.
Foods Rich in Purines
One of the best things you can do if you have gout is to limit the amount of purines you consume in your diet. Below is a reference for foods that are rich in purines:
- Foods that are very rich in purines include: organ meats (liver, kidneys, brain), beer, wild game meats, meats such as bacon, beef, lamb and pork, meat in general if it is consumed in a large amount, fish such as anchovies, sardines, scallops, mackerel, and herring, and gravy. People with gout should limit these foods.
- Foods that are moderately high in purines include: fish and seafood in general (aside from the types listed above in the very high category), oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ. People with gout can consume these foods on occasion.
- Foods that are low in purines include: green, leafy vegetables, fruits, breads that are not whole-grain, chocolate, cheese and eggs, peanut butter and nuts, and coffee. These foods are completely safe to be eaten by people with gout.
- Foods that may actually help to lower the risk of gout include: low-fat yogurt and low-fat milk.
The Bottom Line
Not all foods will trigger your gout symptoms. However, it is best to avoid most of these foods, at least until your symptoms are medically under control. Add foods back into your diet only under the supervision of your physician or dietitian.
