The term "gout" refers to a pathology of a rheumatic nature, the course of which is accompanied by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint cavity. Clinically, the disease is similar to signs of exacerbation of arthritis. A person is worried about severe pain. In addition, the affected area swells, there is a feeling of stiffness during physical activity. Many patients are interested in whether alcohol is possible with gout.
Most doctors find it worth the risk. But there are experts who claim that gout and alcohol are compatible. However, when choosing an alcohol-containing drink, some nuances must be taken into account. In addition, the dosage must be strictly observed, otherwise the development of consequences that pose a danger not only to health but also to life cannot be avoided.
Gout: developmental mechanism and features of pathology
There are purines in every cell of the human body. These are compounds that are not only synthesized directly in the body, but also enter it with food. At the heart of the mechanism of gout development is a violation of purine metabolism.
If these compounds do not even enter the body with food for a long time, no negative consequences occur. If, on the contrary, they penetrate in excess, the process of their destruction starts. One of the end products of cleavage of purines is uric acid.
In certain quantities, the body needs it. Uric acid protects not only from premature aging of tissues, but also from the development of malignant pathologies. If a person is healthy, its excess is freely excreted from the body with the help of the kidneys. Against the background of a violation of purine metabolism , uric acid begins to accumulate in the body in huge quantities. As a result, its salts crystallize and are deposited in the kidneys, joints, and other tissues.
The main causes of the development of the disease:
- Hereditary predisposition. As a rule, it manifests itself in the form of fermentopathies. The absence of almost any protein involved in purine metabolism leads to the development of disorders. Moreover, most of the enzymes are located on the X chromosome. In other words, the disease is most often diagnosed in men.
- The intake of purines in large quantities. A logical consequence is the increased production of uric acid, which the kidneys do not have time to bring out. Products containing a large number of purines: lamb, pork, veal, broths (both meat and fish), smoked meat, offal, cooking fats of animal origin, legumes.
- Slowing down the uric acid excretion process. Most often, this condition is a consequence of chronic kidney disease.
- Enhanced decay of purines synthesized by the body. This violation is often only temporary. But the presence of serious pathologies cannot be ruled out.
The clinical manifestations of gout are very diverse. Symptoms of the pathology are described in the table below.
| Stage | What happens in the body | Signs |
| Premorbid | The earliest stage of development. The uric acid content is slightly increased. There are no signs of kidney or joint damage. | - General malaise.
- Itching of the skin.
- Constipation.
- Excessive sweating.
- Weight gain.
|
| Intermittent | Salts begin to be deposited in the tubules of the kidneys and joints. Episodes of remission give way to gouty attacks. | - Pain in the affected joint.
- Redness.
- Reduced mobility.
- Damage to tissues near the joint.
- Local increase in temperature.
|
| Chronic | The consequence of the deposition of crystals is the formation of tofus. These are solid cones, the presence of which significantly worsens the quality of life. | For this stage, all of the above symptoms are characteristic. |
Thus, the disease is very serious. If you understand the mechanism of its development, we can conclude that gout and alcohol are incompatible. However, some experts in this matter are not so categorical.
Why doctors do not recommend drinking alcohol for gout
Against the background of alcohol intake, the synthesis of vasopressin (the hormone ADH) is suppressed. It is an antidiuretic hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Its main task is to restore and maintain a normal concentration of fluid in the body. In other words, against the background of the active production of vasopressin, the process of activation of the kidneys starts, so that uric acid is even excreted in excess.
After drinking alcohol-containing drinks, the synthesis of antidiuretic hormone is significantly slowed down. As a result, body tissues begin to suffer from a lack of fluid. Against the background of dehydration, the volume of circulating fluid connective tissue decreases and its viscosity increases. In this case, the concentration of uric acid increases sharply. That is why patients who are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol with gout, doctors most often give a negative answer.
It is important to understand that every cell in the body, including cartilage tissue, suffers from dehydration. The latter loses both elasticity and elasticity. Cartilage literally dries and collapses from any, even minor physical exertion. All this is accompanied by the development of a pronounced inflammatory process and, accordingly, intense painful sensations.
The effect of vodka on the body with gout
Alcohol in any amount negatively affects your health. However, vodka does not contain purines, and therefore, for quite a long time, doctors considered it a relatively safe alcohol-containing drink. Now, experts are allowed to drink it in an amount of 50 ml, but no more.
In this regard, many patients have a reasonable question about whether it is possible to drink alcohol with gout regularly, but at a minimum dosage. Specialists most often respond negatively. This is due to the negative effects of vodka on the body:
- Against the background of consumption, general dehydration develops. The synthesis of purines is significantly accelerated. A logical consequence is the rapid deposition in the tissues of uric acid salts in large quantities. This is why alcohol is not allowed for gout. Cognac has a similar effect.
- Ethyl alcohol is extremely toxic. It contributes to the death of pancreatic cells responsible for insulin synthesis. That is why in people with gout, with a tendency to develop diabetes, the disease progresses.
- Against the background of regular use of vodka, the functioning of the kidneys is disrupted. The consequence is an increase in the concentration of uric acid in the body. This happens after drinking other strong drinks (such as whiskey).
It is important to remember that vodka is very addictive, as a result of which its dosage is constantly increasing. Thus, gout and alcohol are incompatible if a person develops addiction quickly. If not, doctors consider it acceptable to drink 50 ml of high-quality vodka on significant holidays.
Wine for gout
Previously, doctors considered only red varieties dangerous. Experts explained this by the fact that they contain a large number of purines. White wine was considered a relatively safe drink. Currently, any varieties are banned.
What is the reason for this:
- After drinking wine, the urine acidity index rises significantly. Due to this, the solubility of uric acid is reduced. She again begins to be deposited in the body, which is a provoking factor in the development of gouty attack (exacerbation).
- The work of the liver and kidneys is disturbed.
- Any wine can also be addictive.
According to the results of recent studies, this alcohol-containing drink contributes to the occurrence of gouty attacks more often than any other alcohol. Despite this, doctors are sometimes allowed to drink wine.
Regarding how to combine gout and alcohol, experts recommend eating wine with fresh herbs. This helps to somewhat reduce the negative effect of the drink on the body. In addition, plant-based foods increase the alkalinity of urine. The maximum allowable dose is 100 ml. Regarding what kind of alcohol can be drunk with gout, it is recommended to give preference to white dry wine. This is the safest drink.
Any alcohol with gout on the legs or arms is prohibited during the period of exacerbation. It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol-containing drinks within a month after the completion of a gouty attack. This is due to the fact that they distort the effect of medicines and increase the risk of side effects.
The effect of beer on the body
Many patients who are interested in what kind of alcohol can be drunk with gout, believe that this drink is definitely not included in the list of prohibited. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case.
Beer contains a huge amount of purines (1 810 mg per 100 ml). In this case, 400 mg per 100 ml is critically dangerous. Obviously, you should never drink beer with gout.
Also, the drink has a pronounced diuretic effect. Against the background of dehydration, blood viscosity increases and the concentration of uric acid increases.
Despite the fact that beer has a small fortress, its use threatens to develop the most dangerous consequences, which pose a threat not only to health but also to life. It is a mistake to assume that a soft drink is harmless. In this beer, the amount of purines is the same as in regular beer.
Permissible dosage of alcohol-containing drinks
Regarding how to drink alcohol with gout. You can use 50-100 ml (depending on the type of drink) once every 2-3 months. In this case, you must carefully monitor your well-being. In addition, it is important to assess potential risks in a timely manner. If, for example, a small amount of wine drunk caused a gouty attack, then experimentation is subsequently undesirable.
How to choose a relatively safe drink
It is important to remember that any alcohol can trigger an exacerbation. You can reduce the risk of developing gouty attack by choosing the right drink.
What you need to pay attention to:
- Ethyl alcohol content. It should be minimal. In addition, experts advise diluting alcoholic beverages with clean still water.
- For perfumes, preservatives and dyes. They should not be.
- Sugar content. It is recommended to give preference to semi-dry or dry varieties. The less sugar in the drink, the better the kidneys cope with the excretion of uric acid from the body.
- Alcohol should only be made at a winery. The use of even 50 ml of homemade liquor or moonshine leads to the appearance of gouty attack and renal failure.
The course of gout largely depends on the psychoemotional state of a person. If the patient cannot do without alcohol and suffers because of this, doctors allow him to drink sometimes (not more than 1 time per week), but only in minimal doses.
Possible consequences
Experts often emphasize that the patient should not be interested in what kind of alcohol is possible with gout, but how much its use worsens the course of the disease. Before drinking alcohol-containing liquid, even in small quantities, it is recommended to assess the possible risks.
As mentioned above, alcohol increases the concentration of uric acid. What this threatens:
- Tofus begin to be plural. Gradually, they lead to the destruction of bone structures. The pain becomes so strong that the person tries not to move the affected limb once again. Tofus gradually forms on the internal organs.
- The affected joint is deformed, which is manifested by pain and stiffness in the movements. Over time, other joints are involved in the pathological process. Soft tissues are often affected.
- In the kidneys, calculi begin to form. This condition often leads to death.
- Human behavior is changing. His psycho-emotional state becomes unstable.
- The indicator of blood pressure rises, heart failure develops. Ischemic disease is often diagnosed.
According to statistics, death with gout most often occurs due to heart diseases resulting from the regular use of alcohol-containing drinks.
Doctors Recommendations
If the patient is not able to completely abandon alcohol, in order to reduce the risk of complications, it is advisable to observe the following rules:
- 20 minutes before drinking alcohol-containing drink, drink 30 ml of vegetable or pre-melted butter.
- Be sure to have a hot meal.
- After the feast, drink 300 ml of mineral alkaline water.
- Do not take medicine on this day.
Experts also recommend that you ask your doctor in advance what alcohol you can drink with gout. The doctor should take into account not only the severity of the existing pathology, but also the presence of other concomitant ailments.
Finally
Many patients are interested in what kind of alcohol is possible with gout. Specialists in this matter are categorical and do not recommend drinking alcohol-containing drinks at all. However, if a person suffers from this prohibition, doctors are sometimes allowed to drink quality alcohol, but in small quantities.