My doctor says I have gout. What is that and what do I do? Joe – Elsmere, DE

Gout is a kind of arthritis. It can cause sudden burning, swelling and stiffness in a joint, most often the big toe, feet or lower legs. Over time gout can harm your tendons, joints and tissues. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood that can cause hard crystals to build up in your joints. You are more likely to get gout if you are overweight, if you drink too much alcohol, or if you eat a diet high in purines - meat and fish. Some medicines, such as water pills (diuretics), can also bring on gout. Foods to avoid are: Organ meats, and other meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb, game meats, Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and scallops, and beer and alcohol. Often experts recommend that you eat a healthy diet that includes low fat milk and yogurt, nuts, eggs and beans for protein, lots of fruits and vegetables, and limiting your meats to one serving a day. Hydration is extremely important – drink plenty of water.

Now for the coaching: Joe, I encourage you to look at this information about gout and ask yourself, “In what ways can you prevent further attacks of gout and damage to your joints?” Will you set a goal to lose weight if that’s necessary? Will you consider avoiding alcohol? What do you need to change about your diet? Here’s a favorite quote of mine by David Starr Jordan: “Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it."