What you need to know about the link between diabetes and gout

If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you are slightly more likely to develop a condition called Gout . Don't be surprised, the other side of it is also true. That is, if you have gout , you are also at risk of developing diabetes. These two diseases are like two friends. But it's not a very good friendship. So, let's talk about this in a little more depth today. Understanding this will help you manage both of these conditions.

First, let's see what Gout is.

Simply put, gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain in the joints. It often starts in the big toe. But it can also affect other joints, such as the knees, ankles, and elbows. The pain is so severe that some people feel unbearable pain even when the sheets touch their bodies.

Okay, so why does this happen? This condition occurs when there is an increase in the chemical ``uric acid`` in our body. This is called ``hyperuricemia`` in medical science. ``uric acid`` is a waste product that is formed when our body's cells break down and when we digest certain foods (especially foods high in ``purines``). Normally, this ``uric acid`` dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine.

However, if your body makes too much uric acid, or if your kidneys can't remove it properly, the level of uric acid in your blood increases. Over time, this excess uric acid turns into tiny, sharp crystals and gets deposited inside your joints. That's when the severe pain and swelling start.

Most of the time, the first gout attack can last for about a week or ten days. Also, someone who has had one has an 85% chance of having another within 3 years. This can sometimes be hereditary. If your mother, father, or sibling has had it, you are at risk.

How does this relationship between diabetes and gout arise?

As we discussed earlier, people with diabetes are more likely to have high levels of `uric acid` in their blood. Similarly, people with high levels of `uric acid` are more likely to develop diabetes. The main cause of this has been identified as a condition called `insulin resistance`.

In type 2 diabetes, the body does not use the hormone insulin properly. This causes blood sugar levels to increase. Research has found that this insulin resistance reduces the excretion of uric acid from the kidneys. This increases the level of uric acid in the blood. Also, increased uric acid levels can worsen insulin resistance.

There are other risk factors common to both diseases:

• Obesity: About 90% of people with diabetes are overweight. Also, an overweight person is four times more likely to develop gout than someone of normal weight. This is because as weight increases, the kidneys' ability to remove uric acid decreases.
• Other health problems: About 80% of people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also associated with insulin resistance. In addition, both gout and diabetes are associated with kidney disease and heart disease.
• Age: If you are over 45 years old, your risk of both of these diseases is higher.

What are the triggers for gout ?

What triggers gout in one person may not trigger it in another. But there are a few things that can generally trigger gout . It's important to be aware of these.

If you think something is causing your gout to flare up, it's best to talk to your doctor about ways to prevent it.

How to manage gout and diabetes?

The best way to manage both of these conditions is to make lifestyle changes. These will help control your uric acid levels as well as your blood sugar levels.

1. Be careful about what you eat and drink.

Diet is very important for both. In addition to a diet that suits your diabetes, you also need to consider the factors that affect gout .

• Reduce or stop eating purine-rich foods (red meat, some seafood) as much as possible .
• Stop alcohol consumption completely or limit it greatly.
• Include foods like low-fat milk and yogurt in your diet. These have been found to help protect against gout .
• If possible, see a registered dietitian so that you can develop a meal plan that best suits your preferences and needs.

2. Exercise

Regular exercise not only helps control blood sugar levels but also helps you lose weight. As you lose weight, your body's ability to remove uric acid also increases. However, talk to your doctor first to decide what kind of exercise is right for you.

3. Drink plenty of water.

Drinking 8 glasses of water (about 2 liters) a day is a good goal. Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys function properly and flush uric acid out of your body. You should drink even more water when you exercise.

4. Control other health problems

Things like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and obesity can increase uric acid levels and worsen gout . So, if you have any of these conditions, see your doctor regularly and follow your prescribed treatment exactly.

Treatment for gout

If you have diabetes, keeping your uric acid level at or below 6 mg/dL can help reduce your risk. If you don't know your level, ask your doctor for a blood test.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat gout .

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