Gout is a painful arthritic condition that usually impacts a person’s feet or toes. There are many things that can trigger gout pain, which include diet and alcohol consumption, but there are more surprising triggers as well. Take a look at the list below of surprising triggers to watch for.
1. Aspirin
Aspirin can increase the amount of uric acid in your body. As you probably know, gout is caused by a buildup of this acid. When levels are too high, the pain usually starts. Try using a different pain medication if you have gout. (If you’re taking aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack, speak with your doctor first).
2. Dehydration
Feeling thirsty? If you’re dehydrated, it can trigger gout pain. Doctors suggest drinking eight cups of water every day to avoid an attack.
3. Added weight
Research shows that people who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk for painful attacks. Excess weight stimulates the body to produce more uric acid, and at the same time, it slows the excretion of the acid from the body.
If you’re dealing with weight problems, it might be time to speak with your doctor about ways to get in shape. While a transformation may take time, even dropping a few pounds can help limit gout pain.
Don’t try fasting though. Quick diets that require fasting will increase the likelihood of a flare-up.
4. Menopause
During menopause, a women’s estrogen levels drop, which is problematic since this hormone helps the kidneys move uric acid out of the body. If menopause is causing stronger or more severe gout attacks, speak with your doctor about possible treatments.
5. Injury
Any kind of injury to a gout-prone area, like the big toe, for example, will drive up the chances of pain. Uric acid tends to collect in injured areas and can lead to a gout attack that sticks around for weeks.
