According to new research published in Clinical Rheumatology, individuals who suffer from gout may be twice as likely to suffer from chronic pain. Researchers say that there appears to be a correlation between the inflammatory arthritis condition and certain chronic pain conditions.

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis condition that develops when a person has high levels of uric acid in their bloodstream. This acid can eventually crystallize in the joint and cause tenderness, swelling and pain with movement. Most commonly, the joint that is affected is the big toe joint in one or both of your feet. Gout can also affect your feet, ankles, knees and hands, with flareups typically lasting a couple days to a week.

For the study, researchers examined more than one million health claims through the United States Medicare system. After combing through the data, researchers uncovered that in patients with newly developed chronic pain, they were twice as likely to also have gout compared to the average. Another model found that the risk of developing chronic pain was higher than average for individuals with gout compared to those who did not have the inflammatory condition. This led researchers to conclude that preventing the onset of gout can also help to ward off chronic pain.

“Efforts must be made to optimize gout control, so that chronic pain can be avoided as a long-term sequel of gout and when present, treated early and appropriately,” the authors wrote.

Preventing Gout

The good news is that the strategies for preventing the onset of gout are very similar to how you can help to ward off chronic pain. Gout is closely tied to our diet and exercise habits. Research shows that diets with excess red meat and alcohol lead to an increased risk of gout, and so too does a sedentary lifestyle. So if you want to prevent gout, you need to be cognizant of the foods you’re eating, cut back on alcohol and make sure to get regular exercise.

You’ll also want to increase your water intake, as that will keep your blood flowing properly and help you work the acid out through your urine. Water is preferred to caffeinated beverages which can work to dehydrate you and trigger a gout attack.