How Can I Treat Gout?
The goals of the treatments are alleviation of pain, prevention of future gout attacks, and most importantly, prevention of the development of long-term complications like kidney damage and joint damage. Medications are an efficient way to treat an acute attack of gout. This includes:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids (i.e. prednisone)
- Colchicine, which should be taken by the patient within the first 12 hours of an acute gout attack
You may be given a prescription of these medications to be taken daily to prevent future attacks. Again, it’s important that you call or visit your physician even if the pain from gout has stopped. The buildup of uric acid that caused the gout attack may still cause irritation to your joints and could eventually cause serious damage. Your physician can prescribe medicines that can prevent uric acid buildup.
Prevention is Better Than Cure!
Here are some things to consider to prevent the development of gout:
- Consult your physician and take the prescribed medicines as directed.
- Tell your physician about all the vitamins and medicines you take.
- Make sure to follow up with your physician on a regular basis.
- Exercise regularly in order to maintain a healthy body weight. Talk to your physician about how to lose weight safely as extreme or fast weight loss may lead to increase uric acid levels.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet. Avoid intake of foods that are high in purines (i.e. sea foods, red meat and organ meat).
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and sweetened drinks that are high in fructose. Drink plenty of water instead.