Gout - A Modern-day curse

On an early winter morning, not yet having recovered from the hangover of the previous night's party delight of a few pegs of favorite malts and tenderly cooked meat or lovely lobster dishes, one gets up to the agonizing pain in a single foot joint only to find it red and swollen, realizing that it's not a nightmare but the harsh reality. That's how usually gout presents. The pain is excruciating and nothing you do can bring relief to the agony. In ancient times it was thought to be a disease of kings and the opulent folk. In the modern era, we are all lords in our lifestyle, therefore gout can affect each and every one of us. 

First-aid measures that can give relief before rushing to a doctor - liberally applying ice cubes over the area and taking several glasses of plain water and fluids. One may take pain killer NSAIDs if there are no other comorbidities. Then, seek help from the specialist. There's a lot of myth regarding the food habits once you have an attack of gout or have raised uric acid levels. The only foods to be avoided in these patients are red meat, saltwater or seafood, alcohol, and artificial fruit drinks with added fructose and preservatives. Liberal intake of water, fresh fruit juices, and vitamin C in the diet tends to decrease recurrent attacks of gout. 

People with kidney disease or on water-losing medications are more prone to gout. Folks on muscle building high protein diet, doing heavy gym workouts, without adequate water intake, may fall prey to gouty attacks. People with binge drinking habits are at higher risk too. One incidental gout attack may be the harbinger for subsequent attacks. Hence, a modest dietary habit is an answer to avert gout.

By: Dr. Dibyendu Mukherjee, Consultant - Internal Medicine & Rheumatology