Should you exercise during a gout flare-up?

I know that light exercise like walking is very good for people with gout, but I don't know if I should exercise during an attack? (Manh Hung, 53 years old, Ha Giang )

Reply:

Exercise combined with a low-calorie diet has been shown to be the most effective nonpharmacological intervention for reducing gout symptoms.

Being overweight and obese increases uric acid levels, so correcting these problems will reduce the risk of acute gout attacks. Regular exercise also improves insulin resistance, which is one of the causes of gout attacks. In addition, exercise is very helpful in restoring strength and flexibility in people with gout after acute flares.

Exercise is good for people with gout but a person should rest when a gout attack occurs. Photo: Freepik

Exercise has been shown to extend life expectancy by 4-6 years for people with high uric acid levels. However, you should not exercise during an acute flare. Weight-bearing activities such as standing or walking are also likely to cause pain.

Therefore, the patient should rest, apply ice to the affected joint, and elevate the leg if pain occurs in one of the joints in the lower body. Increased movement in the affected joint will aggravate the inflammation. Limiting strenuous exercise in the affected joint will be helpful in reducing inflammation.

In general, people with gout who maintain a regular low- to moderate-intensity exercise routine have a better prognosis than those who are sedentary or exercise at a high intensity. Cardiovascular exercises, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, are considered best for controlling uric acid levels and body weight.

You should start exercising at a moderate intensity, 150 minutes per week; avoid high-intensity exercise, especially during and immediately after a gout flare-up. You also need to provide enough water for your body (filtered water, fruit juice...); avoid drinks containing a lot of fructose (like apples, pears, mangoes...) because they will increase uric acid levels. If you focus on losing weight, you need to combine it with a diet to lose weight slowly. Sudden weight loss also causes uric acid levels to increase.

If you have difficulty controlling your gout or problems with exercise, consult a specialist for guidance.

MSc.MD.CKI Dinh Pham Thi Thuy Van
Orthopedic Trauma Center, Tam Anh General Hospital System

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