Gout is the most painful form of arthritis and is caused by an excessive amount of uric acid in the body. Gout symptoms come on quickly and intensely and often include extreme pain, swelling in the affected joint, redness and lessened mobility. Uric acid is a naturally occurring chemical in the body and if being over produced can be controlled with some medications specially made for the treatment of gout, though most excessive levels of uric acid come from a diet high in purines.
Purines are found in foods high in protein and can be found in common foods like salmon, yeast, bacon, turkey, and scallops, as well as unusual foods like heart, mutton, smelt, sardines and liver. When considering a treatment plan for gout, it’s important to work with not only your doctor but also a trained gout diet nutritionist.
Gout and exercise have also made some recent leaps up the gout treatment plan ladder. When thinking about gout and exercise it’s important to consider exercises that are easy on the joints and will not aggravate gout symptoms further. The best two forms of exercises for gout patients have been determined to be water aerobics and yoga. Water aerobics allows for the strengthening of muscles and joints in a low impact environment that offers no pressure on the joints during the workout routine.
Yoga offers stretching of the joints and muscles to help with flexibility which can also help prevent gout episodes and symptoms. Yoga is also a progressive form of exercise which allows for someone who is only a beginner or experience severe gout symptoms to start with smaller movements, then move to more challenging movements and positions as they are able to. Both of these forms of exercise are widely available at most fitness centers and community centers.
While, gout and exercise is a great way to help treat and prevent gout episodes, it’s important to work with a nutritionist on putting together a gout diet to get and keep the excessive of uric acid out of your body to better prevent future episodes. Pain management may also need to be worked into your treatment plan while you are working to prevent future episodes. With a little help and some dedication you can get your gout under control and keep it from affecting your active life.