Lifestyle tips to help you manage gout

Gout›Lifestyle tips to help you manage gout

Along with medications to treat your gout, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help you manage your gout symptoms and reduce the risk of future gout attacks^1,2

Get physically active^2–4

A recurrent UTI is when you have two UTIs within the previous 6 months or three UTIs within the past 12 months¹
Recurrence of a UTI usually occur within three months of the first infection, with 80% of recurrent UTI are infected with the same bacteria¹

Moderate intensity physical exercises

Scrubbing bathroom

Cycling

Fast walking

Quick fact⁴

High intensity physical activities, such as football and marathon might be putting too much stress on your joints, hence they are not recommended as ’joint-friendly’ exercises

Lose weight^2,3

If you are overweight or obese, losing some weight help to reduce pressure on joints, especially weight-bearing joints, such as hips and knees²
Maintaining a healthy weight can help relieve joint pain and improve your movement²

Practise good eating habits³

Eat slowly
Eat only when you feel hungry
Stop eating before you feel full
Eat three times a day
Put down fork/spoon between bites
Serve food in smaller plate

Eliminate bad eating habits³

Eat only at one designated place
Avoid combine eating with reading or watching TV
Keep all food in cupboards where they cannot be easily seen
Immediately place leftovers in storage container and freeze them
Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables

Protect your joints^2,5

Use the ‘SMART’ approach to protect your joints while exercising

Start low, go slow. Pay attention to how your body tolerates certain physical activity

Modify activity when gout symptoms increase, such as pain and stiffness

Activities should be ‘joint-friendly’, such as walking, cycling or dancing

Recognize safe places and ways to be active. Walk in areas with sidewalks and free of obstructions

Talk to your doctor on the type of activity that matches your ability

References

1 – Healthline. Everything you need to know about gout. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/gout#and-alcohol. Accessed 15 June 2021.
2 – CDC, Gout. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/gout.html. Accessed 18 June 2021.
3 – Ministry of Health Malaysia. Clinical Practice Guidelines on Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease 2017. Available at: https://www.moh.gov.my/moh/resources/Penerbitan/CPG/CARDIOVASCULAR/3.pdf. Accessed 17 June 2021.
4 – CDC. Physical activity for arthritis. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/physical-activity-overview.html. Accessed 18 June 2021.
5 – CDC. About adult BMI. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html. Accessed 18 June 2021.