Gout occurs when uric acid builds up and forms needle-shaped crystals in the joints, causing swelling and redness.
Do you often drink beer or champagne with your friends and family? While these drinks may lift your spirits, a new study has shown that these alcoholic beverages increase the risk of developing gout, an extremely painful type of arthritis.
An analysis of the drinking habits of more than 400,000 Britons has found that men who drink at least five times a week are twice as likely to develop gout, according to researchers in China. For women, more frequent drinking is associated with a moderately increased risk of gout, which occurs when urate, a substance in the body, builds up and forms needle-like crystals in the joints, causing swelling, redness and changes in movement and use of the affected joint. However, not everyone with high urate levels develops gout.
The results of the study, published in the journal JAMA Network OpenHowever, no significant association was found between wine and inflammatory disease in either sex. The study had some limitations, including that participants reported their alcohol consumption at some point between 2006 and 2010. It is unclear whether their drinking habits changed over time.
Statistics indicate that more than 9.2 million American adults suffer from gout, which causes flare-ups that last one to two weeks.
How is alcohol a risk factor for gout?
According to researchers, both champagne and beer contain high levels of purine, which increases uric acid levels and doubles the risk of developing gout, although drinking any type of alcohol can pose additional risks.
When uric acid is not properly removed from the body, it builds up and forms crystals, which usually form in the kidneys and around the joints, causing pain and inflammation.
Can changing drinking habits prevent gout?
According to experts, it is important to keep uric acid levels low by monitoring them regularly to prevent flare-ups. Since alcohol increases uric acid levels, many doctors recommend drinking in moderation or significantly reducing alcohol consumption.
If you enjoy drinking alcohol, making simple changes to your drinking habits can help you avoid the painful symptoms of gout. However, studies indicate that any amount of alcohol is dangerous to your health.
What are the other risk factors for gout?
Doctors say gout can affect anyone, but women typically don’t get it until after menopause. People with certain health conditions are more likely to develop it, including:
- People who are overweight or obese
- He has congestive heart failure
- He has type 2 diabetes
- You have high blood pressure
- He has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
- You have a biological parent or grandparent who has gout.
- Eat plenty of animal proteins such as meats, seafood and organ meats.
- Take a diuretic medicine
- Taking immunosuppressants
Ways to control gout
Doctors say that in addition to giving up alcohol completely, some ways to control gout include:
- Follow a low-purine diet where you consume fewer foods and drinks high in purines to reduce uric acid in your body.
- Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can reduce pain and swelling during a gout attack. Some people with kidney disease, stomach ulcers, and other health problems should not take NSAIDs.
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