Treating gout is all about relieving pain and discomfort, avoiding physical, irreversible damage to joints and preventing future attacks. In addition to taking various different pain medications, depending on the severity of pain, those with gout are instructed to rest and increase fluid intake.
Gout symptoms can be treated with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium or ibuprofen. When the pain is too great for these over-the-counter medicines, corticosteroids such as prednisone can be administered orally or injected directly into the joint. Although these drugs can cause side effects, they are only used during a very limited time frame and shouldn’t cause major problems.
Preventing future attacks is best accomplished by lowering uric acid levels in the blood. There are two types of drugs for correcting hyperuricemia (high uric acid). Some lower the levels of uric acid in the blood by increasing the excretion from the body in the urine. The problematic potential side effect of these drugs is that they may promote the formation of kidney stones. The other method uses a drug called Allopurinol which actually blocks the production of urate in the body. It also has the positive benefit of being able to dissolve kidney stones. Possible side effects of allopurinol include dermatitis, and liver dysfunction. Those who suffer from chronic gout attacks may need to take these drugs for life as a preventative measure.
Alternative approaches to the treatment of gout are designed to correct hyperuricemia. The fundamental steps include losing weight and limiting the consumption of alcohol, rich or fatty foods and foods high in purines. Garlic supplements have also been recommended to prevent gout. Dehydration may also promote the formation of urate crystals, so it is always important to stay well hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water per day.
In early times gout was considered to be rich man’s disease because it was known that over-indulgence sometimes resulted in attacks. This view is a bit simplistic but it is not off the mark because obesity and excessive alcohol consumption are linked to hyperuricemia and gout. Unfortunately, the prognosis is that gout sufferers will deal with the condition for the rest of their lives. There is no cure for gout. Following a proper diet and using the appropriate drug therapy can help avoid attacks and may even dissolve tophi deposits in the joints increasing the mobility of joints.
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