As the holiday season approaches, many of us enjoy big, festive meals with our families and friends.  Certain foods enjoyed during Thanksgiving can cause gout.  Gout is an arthritic condition that causes red, hot, painful, and swollen joints.  Any joint can develop gout, but the foot is the most common location, especially the big toe joint.  Gout is caused when uric acid is elevated in the bloodstream.

 Thanksgiving favorites that can cause gout include the following:  turkey, leafy green vegetables, shrimp, cheese, organ meat, goose, and pheasant.  Beer and wine may also bring on an attack of gout.  Chicken is a safer choice for Thanksgiving dinner, and vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots are great healthy options.

 Happy Thanksgiving!

 Dr. Bender is a podiatrist at Advanced Physical Medicine.  She practices at the Oak Park and Chicago/63rd St. locations.  708-763-0580 and 773-776-3166.