Important Facts About Gout Treatment
In the treatment for gout, there are two major concerns that need to be addressed. Halting the pain and inflammation is the first step in gout treatment. The second gout treatment step consists of addressing the long term issues of the disease. Gout attacks can reoccur often over time if changes aren’t made to prevent subsequent attacks.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen are often used to treat the pain and inflammation. There are prescription medications (allopurinol and febuxostat) that will reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood. Avoid aspirin because it can inhibit the kidney from excreting uric acid.
Other anti-inflammatory medications used for treating acute gout are corticosteroids such as prednisone. Corticosteroids can be injected directly into the inflamed joint or taken orally.
Gout Treatment Home Remedies
What you can do to alleviate gout pain include the following:
- Drink Plenty Of Water
- Eat A Low-Fat Diet
- Limit Meat and Seafood Consumption
- Lose Weight
- Exercise Moderately
- Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Purine-rich foods should be avoided since purince chemicals are converted into uric acid. Foods that are rich in purines include shellfish and organ meats such as liver, brains, kidneys, and sweetbreads. Alcohol should also be avoided because it dehydrates the body and can increase hyperuricemia. Avoid beer because it is especially high in pruines. Soft drinks should be limited because they are high in fructose which increases uric acid levels. Nonfat milk and yogurt can lower the frequency of gout attacks.
Dietary Changes For Gout Treatment
Being overweight can make gout worse. Reducing dietary fat and calorie intake and increasing moderate exercise can be beneficial in lowering the risk of recurrent gout attacks. A low fat diet aids in the reduction of uric acid. Fasting or a very low calorie diet can increase uric acid production.
For many years, gout was thought to be caused by indulging in rich foods and consuming excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol and eating foods high in purines may raise uric acid levels, but it isn’t necessarily the primary cause of gout. For some people, gout is an inherited condition.
It is important to consult with your physician to be properly diagnosed and to receive the appropriate gout treatment.