For years, Gout has afflicted people from different classes of society. In the Renaissance times however, most of the afflicted were those from the upper class—mostly men—Kings, Knights, Counts, Barons, and even Judges and artists. Although the medicinal field was not perfect during those times, they somehow knew that Gout is connected with “debauchery”—too much alcohol/wine to drink, and meat to eat.
They were not wrong. Aside from several foods to avoid if you have Gout, modern medicine does affirm that Gout can indeed be triggered by excessive alcohol consumption. Why? Because alcohol slows down your body’s metabolism of uric acids, and by doing that, it’s a surefire cause for a Gout flare-up!
If you are used to drinking alcohol on a regular basis, this might be a habit that’s hard to give up. For some, the excruciating pain of a Gout attack can help them think twice, and stop drinking alcohol, but some may need more motivation—especially if they are surrounded by peers who tend to tempt them into drinking. For those, you can take a look of the following tips to help you veer away from that temptation.
1.) Don’t be shy to talk about your condition with family and friends.
Avoiding alcohol may be hard if the people around you don’t understand your condition. So don’t be shy to tell them! In that way, they will be careful to not tempt you especially on big occasions (where most people drink to celebrate), and they would be kind enough to remind you that alcohol is bad for you. It’s not just you who needs to adjust, but they will gladly adjust for you too!
2.) Find alternatives.
Alcohol may be a no-no from now on, but you can explore other drinks to replace alcohol that are rather good for your condition! You can start with fresh, homemade fruit juices (without added sweeteners)—they are rich in fiber and are good for your over-all health. Avoid even the naturally sweet fruits like oranges, and try alkalizing fruits like lemons. Coffee and tea are fine too, just take it moderately: 1-2 cups a day is okay, but you shouldn’t drink them alternately—just choose whether you’ll have coffee or tea.
Can I drink sodas?
Sodas are actually prohibited for people with Gout. This is because of fructose and its high sugar content, which can cause the uric acid level to rise (which is why your homemade fruit juice shouldn’t be mixed with sweeteners).
3.) Increase your work-out routines.
Aside from keeping you busy, a good work-out routine burns calories and makes you sweat out all those toxins. So it makes you healthier, lighter, and better!
If you are not used to working out yet, you can start with brisk walking and light jogging for 10-15 minutes a day! Gradually, you can go light jogging or biking for 30 minutes up to an hour per day! If you like other routines, just make sure that they are joint-friendly exercises; to make sure that it won’t complicate your Gout further. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new exercise program.
4.) Find a support group.
Many regular consumers of alcohol struggle with giving up drinking. It’s best to look for a buddy who will do this journey with you. Then you can challenge and keep track of each other, and you can discipline and motivate each other to keep an alcohol-free lifestyle.
5.) Don’t feel bad for yourself.
There are times that we can become reminiscent of the good old days, and somehow we’ll feel bad for ourselves because we can’t do the things we used to do effortlessly before. However, don’t view this lifestyle change as bad or a downer; in fact, you should be happy that you are standing up and owning your condition.
Lastly, don’t feel too pressured about not drinking alcohol anymore. When an opportunity gives you an excuse to drink, think about the pain you might endure the night after. Will it be worth it?
Just learn to calmly say no. If the temptation is too much, go away from it, look for fresh air, or get something else to drink, or eat—just make sure that they are not one of the foods to avoid if you have Gout.
For more information about what to do, eat, and drink to prevent another Gout attack, you can visit www.goutdietguide.com to learn more. You can also learn how to manage the pain if a Gout flare-up does occur. All these tips and information are provided by a veteran nurse who had been handling Gout patients for years.