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Gout and Lifestyle Management

With the right treatment plan, gout is manageable. Emphasize to patients that symptoms can be kept under control and that you can work together to properly monitor and treat them and to make adjustments to diet and lifestyle. The goal is to maintain their active lifestyle.

Diet and other lifestyle modifications in combination with medication can help manage gout flares.  Watch the video below for the latest dietary recommendations for gout sufferers. Dietary counseling for weight loss in obese and hypertensive patients can help to reduce urate levels.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol makes it difficult to manage gouty arthritis. Regular alcohol consumption should be discouraged because it can stimulate increased purine production. Beer drinking can be especially problematic because beer not only exerts an ethanol effect on purine production and elimination but is also a purine-rich food.

To help prevent and minimize future attacks, encourage patients to manage gouty arthritis by:

• Taking medications as prescribed.
• Treating gout when the symptoms first occur.
• Following up with their provider to find the right treatment.
• Sharing information about all of the medications and over-the-counter products they’re taking, including herbs and vitamins.
• Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding foods with a high purine content or high fructose content.
• Exercising regularly and maintain a healthy body weight.

Click here for patient information resources including food lists, a symptom tracker and other resources.