The holidays can be hard on your feet, especially if you suffer from occasional gout flareups. As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that leads to discomfort when uric acid crystals develop in the joints, irritating the nearby soft tissues. Although it can strike any joint, the most common location for gout to develop is in your big toe joint.
If you deal with chronic or irregular gout flareups in your big toe, you may have noticed that the holidays can be a troublesome time for your feet. In today’s blog, we share some tips for managing your gout during the hectic holiday season.
Preventing Gout During The Holidays
Preventing a gout flareup really comes down to identifying some of common gout triggers and taking some steps to mitigate them during the holidays. We explain in greater detail below:
1. Limit Alcohol Consumption – You may want to drink and be merry this holiday season, but be smart about your alcohol intake if you have a history of gout. Alcohol consumption triggers the buildup of uric acid in your bloodstream, so you’ll want to avoid overindulging over the holidays. If you are going to drink alcohol, be sure to mix in some waters to help you stay hydrated, as this will make it easier for uric acid to make its way out of your bloodstream.
2. Mind Your Diet – We know that watching your diet can be especially hard during the holidays, but you’ll want to prioritize it if you want to keep gout at bay. Sugary foods, processed foods and red meat can all lead to elevated uric acid levels in your body, so go easy on these foods. Eat a well-rounded diet throughout the holiday season, and your body and your joints will thank you for it.
3. Exercise – One of the best ways to naturally remove uric acid from your body is through regular exercise, so make time to exercise this holiday season. We know this time of year can get busy, but wake up a few minutes earlier or squeeze in some exercise on your lunch break to help limit uric acid buildup in your bloodstream.
4. Weight Management – If you want to put an end to your gout symptoms for good, you’ll want to manage your weight even when the holidays are through. Consider getting a gym membership and sticking to your new year’s resolutions, as losing weight can help to limit uric acid buildup in your bloodstream.
5. Improve Your Sleep Health – Finally, make it a point to get enough restful sleep during the holidays. Sleep helps to calm inflammatory responses throughout the body, and if you don’t get enough sleep, gout and its associated symptoms may linger. Healthy sleep doesn’t happen by accident, so make it a point to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
For more information, or if you want some professional help managing your gout, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
