In this article, we are going to talk about the possible connection between gout and diabetes. Both conditions are not that normal and are both important to look out for. There is a need for us to understand more about these two, as they may really have a connection with each other. Read on to this article, and you will be enlightened more with factual information. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!
The Controversial Relationship of Gout and Diabetes
If you Google it, you will find that it is all over the net. Many individuals who suffer from gout suffer from diabetes too. It is not that surprising though due to reason that they have similar risk factors like hypertension, obesity, and different cardiovascular diseases. In fact, they seem to be different cards, which are stacked on the deck. It is just a matter of order and also bad lack if you draw them all. Unfortunately, you will pull cards from this deck until it becomes empty as long as your lifespan is allowing it if you begin on drawing from it.
Now, we go back to the relationship between gout and diabetes. Who between the two flirted first? It diabetes seduced gout or the gout is the one who does the wooing? Well, there is a plot twist in their love story: matchmaker. Yup, there is one thing who plays a matchmaker.
The Matchmaker called Acid
It is not the node in the joint that attracted diabetes, nor the sweetness in the blood that seduced gout. The diabetes is not directly the cause of gout and gout will not cause diabetes.
As mentioned above, these two shared similar risk factors. But what is the particular strong similar risk factor of the two? The answer is the uric acid. It is, in fact, the uric acid alone but acids n general. So how these culprits inflict devastation and become the matchmaker of diabetes and gout?
You probably have the knowledge that the gout is commonly a result of the hyperuricemia which is a condition on which the body has too much uric acid. For those who have no idea about it, here is a little background.
The gout is caused by the crystallization of the uric acid in the joints. The crystallized uric acid is detected by the body as a foreign substance and therefore makes an attack against the unsuspecting crystal. When the immune system will launch an assault, it will send signals for reinforcement called PAIN. It will then explain the inflammation and the pain of a gout attack.
Gout and Diabetes: The Evidence
Studies suggest that there is a 20% increase in the chance or risk of developing diabetes and about 40% increase on the risk of developing kidney disease if you have high levels of uric acid in the blood. Furthermore, another study also suggests that men with gout and high cardiovascular synopsis had an increase in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in their life. Moreover, they also state the importance of maintaining a very aggressive healthy lifestyle or regular exercise and proper diet.
Gout and Diabetes: What do you need to do?
Here are some things that you can do in order to lessen the risk of developing diabetes as a gout sufferer:
- Drink a lot of water, as much as possible, drink about 12 glasses of water every day.
- Limit the sugar intake and avoid high-fructose corn syrup foods and beverages in order to avoid developing diabetes and gout attack.
- Eat a much healthier diet. It should comprise 80 percent of carbs, 10 percent of proteins, and 10 percent fat. This is the key to lowering the levels of uric acid and reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol. This is because the uric acid tends to rise when drinking alcoholic beverages. Moreover, avoiding alcohol may also be beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Exercise on a daily basis. This is beneficial in controlling the weight, improve the glucose intolerance, and improve the blood pressure, which will then lower the uric acid levels, thus avoiding gout attacks.
- Lose weight if you are obese. You should go back to your ideal weight and always monitor it.
The main key is prevention. This is what will help you from suffering from gout. Make sure that you live a healthy lifestyle, with a good diet plan. Follow the aforementioned things that you need to do in order to avoid acquiring diabetes and gout attacks. It is best to follow the doctor’s advice so that you will be fine.
