Gout Treatment

Gout treatment
With proper treatment, most people who are diagnosed with gout are able to control symptoms and live productive lives. Successful treatment can reduce discomfort caused by the symptoms of gout, as well as long-term damage to the affected joints and will help prevent disability. The goals of treatment are to:

1. Ease pain associated with acute gout attacks
2. Prevent future gout attacks
3. Avoid the formation of tophi and kidney stones

Gout can be treated with one or a combination of therapies. As with all types of arthritis, gout treatment will provide better results if a person becomes familiar with techniques to help manage arthritis and begins treatment as soon as possible. You should consult your doctor / rheumatologist on a regular basis to keep up to date with new arthritis management techniques and treatment.

Diet
Drinking lots of water, following a nutrient diet and reducing the consumption of alcohol are preventive measures that can help you avoid the risk of gout (gouty arthritis) disorder. Nonalcoholic fluids, especially water, help remove uric acid from the body. Alcohol, on the other hand, can raise the levels of uric acid in your blood. Foods that contains larger amounts of purins which also raise levels of uric acid and should be avoided include:

• anchovies
• asparagus
• beef kidneys
• brains
• dried beans and peas
• game meats
• gravy
• herring
• liver
• mackerel
• mushrooms
• sardines
• scallops
• sweetbreads

Home remedies
Doctors recommend that people experiencing an acute gout attack rest the affected joint until the attack eases. You can also use ice to reduce the swelling. Herbal tinctures, teas, juices baths and compresses may assist in reducing uric acid and relieving pain. A cup horsetail tea or stinging nettle 3 to 4 times daily for around three weeks can help eliminate uric acid in joints. Blue berries or dark red berries can also treat gout as they contain anthocyaniding. A heated bath with infusions of oat straw, nettle, horsetail or any grasses may help in reducing gout symptoms.

Lifestyle
Physical exercise and following a healthy life style can help you avoid the risk of developing gout attacks.

Medications
The first line of treatment for gout is generally medication based to relieve symptoms and eliminate causes. Specific treatment depends on whether you are having an acute attack or are trying to prevent future attacks. Various medicines like colchicines, corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic, anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS), Sulfinpyrazone and many others help reduce the pains and swelling in joints, thus preventing further spread of gout (gouty arthritis) condition. Similarly, probenecid is prescribed for chronic gout and gouty arthritis. It acts on the kidney to help the body reduce uric acid levels. Allopurinol is useful in decreasing uric acid levels in body. Uricosuric agents are useful for kidneys to eradicate uric acid precipitation.

• adrenocorticotropic drugs
• allopurinol
• anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
• colchinines
• cortosteroids
• probenecid
• sulfinpyrazone
• uricosuric agents

During an acute gout attack, you may be able to relieve some discomfort by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or colchicines. Although aspirin is an NSAID, don't take it for gout. Aspirin can actually make gout worse by abruptly changing the uric acid level in the blood.