Josie Gibson has shared her shock at receiving a painful health diagnosis after ‘living her finest life’ and developing gout!
This Morning star Josie, 40, found out she had the condition after she underwent checks as part of new Channel 5 show The 1970s Diet.
And while she admits to having enjoyed a “lavish” lifestyle before filming the series, Josie was stunned to discover gout isn’t only suffered by “old men”.
Josie Gibson on being diagnosed with gout
Telly fave Josie gave viewers a glimpse of how the other half live in Around The World In First Class.
She was depicted as drinking champagne, eating in Michelin-starred restaurants and travelling by private jet for the Channel 5 programme.
However, it seems filming in such luxury presented Josie with health challenges – and blood tests showed she was enduring the inflammatory joint condition which can leave those unfortunate enough to encounter it with intense waves of discomfort.
‘Brought down to earth with a bang’
“I kept saying to the nurse: ‘My toes keep hurting.’ I thought gout was only for old men but I have been living quite a lavish life. Before I filmed this show, I caught a lot of flights, I drank a lot of champagne, I ate a lot of rich food and I had little sleep. That’s how I ended up getting gout,” Josie recalled.
I caught a lot of flights, I drank a lot of champagne, I ate a lot of rich food and I had little sleep.
However, The 1970s Diet couldn’t be less glamorous that her ritzy living Around The World In First Class.
Instead, Josie faces platefuls of grub such as liver and Spam, rather than caviar and oysters.
‘One extreme to the other’
She joked: “I’ve come from one extreme to the other. I went from living my finest life ever to being brought down to earth with a bang.”
Tests also indicated Josie is overweight. But she believes she is “at a supreme fitness level”. That is demonstrated when she works out on an exercise bike yet barely breaks a sweat. And thankfully she has now brought the gout under control.
“As soon as I stopped catching all the flights and started drinking a bit more water and less champagne, it levelled itself out,” she added.
As Josie Gibson is diagnosed with gout – what is it?
This Morning host Josie Gibson has revealed doctors recently told her she had gout – but what is it?
What is gout?
Gout is an inflammatory joint condition which can leave those unfortunate enough to encounter it with intense waves of discomfort.
Other symptoms gout sufferers can experience include skin appearing red and swollen, and feeling hot over the affected joint.
It is often found in the big toe. However, gout can also affect elbows, knees, feet, wrists, ankles and hands. An attack can last up to two weeks. And, left untreated, gout can lead to lasting joint damage, with subsequent flare-ups lasting even even longer.
What causes it?
Gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your blood. This can lead to crystals forming around your joints, which causes pain.
It sometimes runs in families. It’s more common in men, especially as they get older.
According to the NHS, you have a higher chance of getting gout if you are overweight, drink alcohol, have been through the menopause, take medicines such as diuretics (water tablets), or medicines for high blood pressure (such as ACE inhibitors).
You’re also more likely to get it if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney problems, osteoarthritis or diabetes or have had surgery or an injury.
How to get rid of gout
Painkillers can help ease the pain gout can cause. The NHS also advises you take any medicine you’ve been prescribed as soon as possible – it should start to work within two days. Rest and raise the affected limb.
Sufferers should also keep the joint cool – apply an ice pack, or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes at a time. Ensure you’re drinking lots of water (unless a GP tells you not to). And try to keep bedclothes off the affected joint at night.
Lifestyle choices will mean it’s less likely to return once it’s cleared up.
Try to eat a healthy diet – your doctor may give you a list of foods to include or limit. Have some alcohol-free days each week – try not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. And exercise regularly – but avoid intense exercise or putting lots of pressure on joints.
