Gout can be a painful condition and type of arthritis which typically affects men more than women. It is a condition caused by the build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is one of the breakdown products of the body’s metabolism.
High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to crystals of uric acid being deposited your joints, which cause inflammation and leads to joint pain. Gout can affect other parts of the body such as the hands, but it is most common in the feet.
In an acute attack of gout, you can experience extreme swelling and pain in the foot, mostly localised around the big toe joint. The foot will be very swollen and red with skin peeling away from around the joint.
Milder cases of gout will present as pain in the first joint, often worse after eating certain foods or after starting certain medication.
A visit to your GP should be your first course of action for blood tests and potentially medication. Your next step will be to visit a dietitian for dietary advice.
Treatment will focus on reducing foods rich in purines and fat to control symptoms and maintain a healthy weight. Acute attacks of gout are usually treated by anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. painkillers) which reduce the pain. However, these do not reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood so dietary intervention is required to lower these levels.
People who are overweight are more likely to have higher uric acid levels in their blood. It’s important to reduce the intake of high energy foods, such as fats and sugars, which should be done gradually as strict dieting can cause an increase in uric acid levels and bring on an attack of gout. Our Dietitians can identify other foods in your diet that are linked to your attacks.
During your initial consultation, your Dietitian will assess your diet and lifestyle. The overall aim of diet therapy is to educate and show you how to manage gout for life.
Your Dietitian will also carry out a complete nutritional assessment, taking a diet history, body composition analysis including weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, waist to hip measurement and more. You will receive:
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To book your appointment please complete the below form or phone our patient services team, available Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm, and Saturdays between 8:00am – 4:00pm. If your enquiry is urgent please phone the team at 01-6111740 and they will be able to assist you.
