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A flare-up of acute gout can be a very painful experience. In addition to available treatments
for the acute attack, there are also medications that, along with a change in diet and lifestyle,
can lower the chance of another flare-up. Only in rare cases will someone need surgery
for gout.
- To treat the pain and swelling from gout, your doctor might prescribe non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen.
- Another medication that may be prescribed for the symptoms of gout is colchicine. This
drug is taken orally by patients who may not be able to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
-If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine cannot be used because of side
effects or drug interactions, then certain steroids may be injected directly into the
joint or taken orally. Commonly used oral steroids include prednisone, prednisolone,
and methylprednisolone.
In addition to treating with the symptoms of an attack, it’s also important to prevent
another one from occurring. Both medication and a change in diet and lifestyle are key
to preventing another attack.
Medications prescribed to prevent another attack are designed to reduce the uric acid
in the blood and prevent hyperuricemia. Your doctor may prescribe one of these three medications
to treat hyperuricemia: Allopurinol, Probenecid or Febuxostat.
These medications are used to slowly reduce the level of uric acid in the blood. A quick
drop in uric acid levels can cause an acute attack of gout. So, your doctor may prescribe
a medication to counter the symptoms of acute gout even after an episode has passed. This
will suppress the symptoms of another gout flare-up while the anti-hyperuricemia medication
is lowering uric acid levels.
While it is easily treatable, taking medication to treat gout is long commitment, perhaps
for a lifetime. It’s important to continue this treatment even after the gout symptoms
have passed. Patients who stop treatment after gout symptoms disappear will likely see these
symptoms come back.
Along with these medications, a change in diet and lifestyle can help lower the uric
acid in the blood and reduce the chance of another gout attack. While change in diet
alone is unlikely to prevent the onset of another attack, it can, in conjunction with
medication, reduce the risk of it.
There are several foods known to be high in purines and should be avoided to keep uric
acid levels low: - Red Meat
- Seafood - Beer and spirits
- Food with high-fructose corn syrup
It’s recommended that people with gout eat foods like low-fat dairy products, and foods
with complex carbohydrates like beans, brown rice, oats and whole wheat grains. Vitamin
C supplements of 500 mg are also recommended for those with gout. It’s even speculated
that coffee may reduce the risk of a gout attack.
Changes in diet and lifestyle can not only affect the treatment of gout, but can also
improve overall health. Thankfully gout is easily treated and managed today, so it shouldn’t
stop you from living an active and healthy life.
Thanks for being part of HealthiNation. Be sure to watch other segments to learn even
more about your health.