Uric acid is a natural compound formed from the breakdown of purines, substances found in food and also produced by the body. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is excreted in the urine. However, if uric acid levels are too high, the body has difficulty eliminating it, causing it to accumulate and form crystals in the joints. This buildup causes pain, swelling, and inflammation, known as gout.
Gout and Its Symptoms
Gout is generally characterized by sudden, intense pain, often at night. This pain is described as sharp, burning, and makes it difficult to move the joint. Body Parts Commonly Affected:
- Big toe joint
- Knee
- Ankle
- Hand
If not treated properly, gout attacks can occur repeatedly and in the long term can risk damaging the joints.
Gout Management
Gout can be controlled through a healthy lifestyle and medication as recommended by a doctor. One important step is maintaining a healthy daily routine.
- Drink enough water to help remove excess uric acid through urine.
- Regular exercise such as walking or light cycling to maintain joint health.
- Avoid trigger foods and drinks such as offal, certain seafood, or alcoholic drinks.
Risk factors for gout include a high-purine diet, obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and genetics. If uric acid levels are high or pain attacks recur frequently, doctors usually prescribe medication to lower uric acid levels and relieve symptoms. With proper management, gout sufferers can still lead healthy and productive lives.
Recommended and Restricted Foods for Gout Sufferers
Regulating your food intake is one of the key factors in controlling uric acid levels. Some foods can help reduce the risk of attacks, while others should be limited to prevent worsening symptoms.
Recommended Foods
- Rice, porridge, vermicelli, bread, wheat, macaroni, pasta, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, cassava, and oatmeal
- Eggs and skim milk
- Carrots, chayote, long beans, eggplant, bitter melon, chayote, cucumber, water pumpkin, watercress, tomatoes, and radishes
- All kinds of fruits
- Soft drink
- All kinds of spices to taste
Restricted Foods
- Chicken, tuna, mackerel, pomfret, milkfish, shellfish, and shrimp (maximum 50 grams/day)
- Tempeh, tofu (maximum 50 gr/day)
- Legumes (green beans, peanuts, soybeans) maximum 25 grams/day
- Spinach, green beans, melinjo leaves/seeds, snow peas, peas, cauliflower, asparagus, kale, and mushrooms (maximum 100 grams/day)
- Tea and coffee
Foods to Avoid
- Foods with high purine content: liver, kidney, heart, offal, spleen, brain, ham, sausage, tripe, intestines, lungs, sardines, broth, duck meat, shellfish, birds, goose, mussels, and yeast.
- Drinks with soda and alcohol: soft drinks, arak, ciu, and beer
Managing gout requires commitment, including maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and following your doctor's recommendations. With a disciplined, healthy lifestyle and appropriate medication, pain attacks can be controlled and future joint damage prevented.
However, if joint pain is severe, swelling persists, or uric acid levels remain high despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it's best to see a doctor immediately. With proper treatment, gout sufferers can continue to live active, healthy, and productive lives without the constant threat of relapses.
This article was written by Dr. Patriotika Ismail, Sp.PD (Internal Medicine Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).