We’ve all heard of friends or family members who avoid certain foods — like red meat, seafood or alcohol — because they’re afraid of triggering a gout attack. Even if you’ve never experienced it yourself, the way they carefully navigate menus or decline a glass of beer makes one thing clear: gout is no joke.
But what exactly causes this intense, often overnight pain in the joints? And if you’ve never had it before, is it something you should be worried about?
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that forms when your body breaks down substances called purines, which are found naturally in your body and in certain foods.
When there’s too much uric acid in your bloodstream (a condition known as hyperuricemia), it can crystallise and accumulate in your joints, triggering sudden and intense pain.
The big toe is the most commonly affected joint, but gout can also affect the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
Symptoms to Look Out For
A gout attack often comes without warning, and usually affects one joint at a time. Common signs include:
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Severe joint pain, often starting at night
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Swelling, warmth, and redness over the affected joint
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Lingering discomfort, even after the worst pain subsides
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Limited range of motion in the affected area
Attacks typically last a few days to a week, but if left untreated, recurrent flare-ups can lead to joint damage and long-term complications.
Why Do Some People Get Gout and not others?
Anyone can develop gout, but men are significantly more likely to be affected — particularly those over the age of 40. This is partly because men naturally have higher uric acid levels. In contrast, women benefit from the uric acid-lowering effects of oestrogen until menopause. After that, a woman’s risk rises and becomes more comparable to men’s. Lifestyle habits such as higher alcohol consumption or red meat intake, which may tend to be more common among men, may also contribute to this gender difference.
While diet plays a role, gout is often the result of a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and medical factors. Common risk factors include:
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Family history of gout
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Obesity
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High intake of purine-rich foods (e.g. red meat, shellfish, organ meats)
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Alcohol consumption, especially beer and spirits
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Sugary drinks, particularly those with fructose
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Chronic kidney disease, which affects uric acid excretion
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Certain medications, such as diuretics and immunosuppressants
🧬 Fun fact: Gout was once called the “disease of kings” because of its association with indulgent diets — but today, it’s a common lifestyle-related condition affecting people from all walks of life.
⚠️ Foods That Can Trigger Gout (or Worsen It)
| High-Risk Foods (Limit or Avoid) | Lower-Risk Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Red meat (beef, lamb, pork) | Lean poultry, plant-based proteins |
| Organ meats (liver, kidney) | Eggs, tofu, legumes |
| Shellfish (prawns, crab, mussels) | White fish (moderate portions) |
| Alcohol (especially beer, spirits) | Water, herbal teas, low-fat milk |
| Sugary drinks (sodas, fruit juices) | Infused water, plain tea, unsweetened drinks |
| Processed foods high in fructose | Whole fruits (like berries, apples) |
🥩 Tip from Dr Amirah Wahid:
“It’s not just about what you eat — portion control and hydration are key. You don’t have to give up everything you enjoy, but being mindful helps reduce the risk.”
How Is Gout Treated?
Treatment usually focuses on managing the pain during an attack and preventing future flare-ups.
During a gout attack, doctors may prescribe:
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
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Colchicine, which reduces inflammation
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Corticosteroids, if other options are unsuitable
For long-term management, medications like allopurinol or febuxostat may be used to lower uric acid levels.
“A gout attack can feel like your joint is on fire — it’s a sudden, intense pain that often catches people off guard,” says Dr Amirah Wahid, General Practitioner at Doctor Anywhere.
“We typically recommend a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to manage gout in the long term. That includes staying hydrated, reducing purine-rich foods, and maintaining a healthy weight. Gout is very manageable — but only if steps are taken to manage it.”
Can You Prevent Gout If You’ve Never Had It?
Even if you’ve never experienced a gout attack, prevention is worth thinking about — especially if you have a family history or other risk factors.
✅ Here’s what you can do:
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Stay hydrated: Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
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Limit red meat and seafood: Opt for lean proteins and more vegetables.
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Cut back on alcohol: Particularly beer and hard liquor.
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Avoid sugary drinks: Especially those with high-fructose corn syrup.
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Exercise regularly: To maintain a healthy weight and reduce inflammation.
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Get your uric acid levels checked: Especially if you have a family history of gout, high blood pressure, or kidney disease.
“Even if you’ve never had gout, we sometimes detect high uric acid levels in blood tests,” says Dr Amirah. “Early awareness gives you the chance to make lifestyle changes before the first attack happens — and it’s much easier to prevent gout than to deal with the pain of it.”
The Bottom Line
Gout may be painful, but it’s far from inevitable — and with proper care, it doesn’t have to take over your life. Whether you’ve had a gout attack before or just want to stay ahead of the curve, being aware of your risk and making small lifestyle tweaks can go a long way.
Book a general consultation with a Doctor Anywhere GP today or a health screening at DA MedSuites — and get personalised advice on keeping gout at bay.
