How can the weather affect gout?

Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, characterized by severely painful episodes of pain in the joints, which are sometimes accompanied by swelling and heat. Typically affecting men over the age of forty and post-menopausal women, gout happens as a result of urate crystals becoming lodged around the joints, usually at the extremities of the body such as the toes and fingers.

Flares of gout can come on suddenly and unexpectedly, but there are things you can do to help reduce your symptoms. If you struggle with this condition, you probably already know to avoid alcohol and red meats, but did you know that the weather can also trigger a gout attack? Here’s how, and what you can do to protect yourself from any unnecessary flare-ups.

Heat and humidity

Drinking plenty of water is an essential part of managing gout, as it helps your body flush out the uric acid before it becomes a problem for your joints. This is especially true in summer, where temperatures over 21°C have been reported to increase the risk of gout flares by up to 43%. Increased humidity and warm weather mean your body loses more water than usual, which can easily lead to dehydration. If your body is dehydrated, it is going to struggle to effectively remove the uric acid from your blood – putting you at risk of gout flares.

In the summer, or if you’re jetting off to warmer climates, making a conscious effort to drink plenty of water will go a long way to preventing gout flares. Remember to avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol, as these negatively affect kidney function and can make it harder for your kidneys to eliminate excess uric acid.

Taking a reusable water bottle with you whenever you go out will help you remember to keep hydrated. To combat humidity, use a home dehumidifier to keep you comfortable indoors, and utilise the air-conditioning when traveling in the car.

Cold weather

Whilst fewer scientific studies have been conducted on the effects of colder temperatures on gout, many sufferers of arthritis experience more frequent and severe pain during the fall and winter. Being cold causes your body to conserve heat by focusing blood flow to the vital organs, this limits the amount of blood delivered to your extremities. For gout patients, this can cause a build-up of urate crystals and set the wheels in motion for an impending gout attack.

It’s important to wrap up warm in colder weather, with plenty of layers to keep your core temperature warm. Investing in a good pair of thermal socks should help to keep your blood flowing and prevent an accumulation of crystals in your feet. If you often suffer from gout flares during the night, investing in an electric blanket may help improve your circulation and keep you warm.

Another great way to raise your body temperature is to enjoy hot beverages and stay active when you go outdoors. Winter days are short and even if we go outside we tend to be completely covered up, meaning it’s harder to naturally absorb enough vitamin D from the sun during the colder months. Studies have shown that a vitamin D deficiency can make arthritis worse and also make people more sensitive to pain, so be sure to take a supplement to fully protect yourself.

Winter is the perfect time to indulge in a nice warm bath, and doing so can ease symptoms of arthritis and gout. Heat therapy is well known for reducing aches and pains in the joints, especially when suffering from a flare-up.

Maintaining a constant temperature

Sudden changes in temperature can be a common trigger for all types of arthritis. As the seasons change it takes a while for our bodies to acclimatize and adapt to the new temperature and barometric pressure outside. The key to avoiding this from triggering a gout attack is to try and maintain a constant, warm body temperature. When moving from one temperature to the next, be prepared!

Hopefully using these tips and precautions you will be able to reduce the number of painful gout attacks you experience due to the weather.