Watch Your Diet and Prevent Gout

Hey guys, have you ever experienced sudden onset of intense pain and swelling of the big toe? If so, do you know that it may mean that you are suffering from gouty arthritis?

Gout is a common disease in developed countries like Hong Kong and is more common in men. It is an inflammatory disease of the joints and is the result of uric acid deposition in our joints as crystals when there is too much of it in our body. It mainly affects joints in fingers, toes, ankles and knees and in more serious cases it can also cause damage to other organs such as kidney. Uric acid in our body mainly comes from the metabolism of purine, which some food items are rich in.

Although gout is not a fatal disease by itself, without proper treatment, it may

• result in deformity of the affected joints
• result in uric acid depositing in other parts of the body such as kidneys and skin with severe complications

Factors increasing the risk of gout or recurrent gouty attacks

• Aged over 40
• Male
• Family history of gout in close relatives
• Excessive purine-rich food intake
• Diet high in fat or salt
• Consumption of alcohol especially beer
• Overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Certain medications such as diuretics

Prevention
Gout cannot be cured but we can lower the risk of gout or prevent recurrent attacks through the following measures:

• Diet control
  • Avoid purine-rich foods
    • Internal organs such as brain, liver, kidney and heart
    • Shell fish such as scallop, oyster, clams and mussels
    • Sardine, lobster
    • Excessive red meat, dried beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach and asparagus
  • Avoid food with high fat or salt content
  • Drink at least two litres of water a day to facilitate the excretion of uric acid
• A health lifestyle
  • Avoid being overweight
  • Have regular daily exercise
  • Avoid alcoholic drinks

If in doubt, consult your doctor or dietician.

For further information on gout, you may wish to visit the relevant pages on the websites of the Central Health Education Unit and the Elderly Health Services of the Department of Health.

(Last Updated on 23-05-2006)