Self-help Guide for Gout Patients: The "One-two Punch" of Diet Therapy and Exercise

Self - help Guide for Gout Patients: The "One - two Punch" of Diet Therapy and Exercise

 

Gout attacks can be excruciating, causing pain that feels like being cut by a knife or burned by fire, making countless patients suffer. Besides standard medical treatment, proper diet therapy and scientific exercise can also be effective aids in improving the condition of gout. Today, we will introduce in detail how to use these two methods to "cool down" gout.

 

I. Diet Therapy: Controlling Uric Acid from the Dietary Source

 

The root cause of gout is closely related to uric acid metabolism, and diet plays a significant role in uric acid production.

 

Purine is the "precursor" of uric acid. The key is to reduce the intake of high - purine foods. Animal offal (such as liver, kidney, etc.), various seafood (sardines, shrimp, crab, etc.), and rich meat broths are all high in purine. Gout patients should be sure to control their consumption and eat less or avoid these foods.

 

On the contrary, low - purine foods can be eaten more. Grains, eggs, milk, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables are not only low in purine but also rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can ensure nutritional intake without increasing the burden on uric acid metabolism.

 

Drinking water may seem simple, but it is a "magic trick" to promote the excretion of uric acid. Drink at least 2000 milliliters of water per day. Plain boiled water and light tea are good choices. However, stay away from sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, as they can interfere with uric acid metabolism and become "accomplices" in triggering gout attacks.

 

In addition, alkaline foods also deserve the attention of gout patients. Alkaline foods such as cucumbers, carrots, bananas, and apples can alkalize urine and reduce the risk of uric acid crystal formation.

 

II. Exercise: Promoting Metabolism through Scientific Exercise

 

Exercise can enhance metabolism and help excrete uric acid, but there are specific requirements for gout patients' exercise.

 

Aerobic exercise is the first choice. Walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc. are all excellent options. This type of exercise can improve cardiopulmonary function, accelerate body metabolism, and help excrete uric acid. Avoid strenuous exercises such as sprinting, playing basketball, and playing football, as a large amount of lactic acid produced by strenuous exercise can inhibit uric acid excretion and easily trigger gout attacks.

 

The intensity and duration of exercise should be increased gradually. The criterion is that the body does not feel overly fatigued after exercise. Each exercise session should be at least 30 minutes, and stick to exercising 3 - 5 times a week. Only by long - term persistence can results be seen.

 

Exercise safety should not be overlooked. Warm up thoroughly before exercise, move joints and stretch muscles. After exercise, do proper relaxation activities to let the body return to a calm state gradually. If there is joint pain, swelling, or other discomfort during exercise, stop immediately and seek medical attention in a timely manner.

 

Although diet therapy and exercise are helpful in improving the condition of gout, they cannot replace drug treatment. Gout patients must follow the doctor's advice, take medicine on time, and have regular check - ups. We hope that everyone can better control their condition through these methods, stay away from the trouble of gout, and enjoy a healthy life!