Gout occurs when the blood contains too much uric acid, either because the body is producing too much of it or because it isn't getting rid of enough of it. This causes small crystals to form in and around a joint--most often the big toe--which becomes painful and swollen. Acute gout usually resolves by itself, but the Arthritis Foundation recommends treatment to shorten the painful phase and to protect joints and kidneys from long-term damage.
Remedies for Acute Gout
Acute gout can be treated with several different medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can be purchased over the counter, but the American College of Rheumatologists recommends higher dosages to counter the pain and inflammation of acute gouty arthritis. Prescription naproxen or indomethacin are frequently used to remedy an acute attack of gout.
Those with sensitive stomachs may not be able to handle NSAIDs, especially in the doses needed to treat acute gout, so colchicine may be prescribed instead. According to the Mayo Clinic, colchicine is effective in reducing the pain of acute gout, but it must be taken as soon as possible after the onset of the attack to be really effective. Side effects of colchicine include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Corticosteroids can be taken orally or injected into the affected joint. These are powerful anti-inflammatory medications, so they are usually prescribed when NSAIDs and colchicine cause serious side effects.
Remedies for Chronic Gout
NSAIDs, colchicine and prednisone, a form of corticosteroid, may also be the treatment of choice for chronic gout. However, if you have chronic gout, which the National Library of Medicine describes as "repeated episodes of pain and inflammation, which may involve more than one joint," you won't need to take such high dosages of these medications as you would for acute attacks of the disease.
If you have frequent attacks of gout, you may also be given a prescription for a drug that reduces the uric acid levels in your blood, advises the Mayo Clinic. These include allopurinol, which blocks uric acid production, and probenecid, which helps your body eliminate excess uric acid.
Lifestyle and Diet
Besides medications, a doctor may recommend lifestyle and diet changes as remedies for gout. These include avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water and keeping protein intake moderate. Gout sufferers should be careful not to eat a lot of fish containing high concentrations of purines or too much meat. If the patient is working on losing weight, which is a good idea, he should do it slowly, to avoid uric acid buildup leading to kidney stones.
Alternative Medicine
Although many alternative medicine treatments may exist for gout, only a few have gone through rigorous testing. Some that have been studied, according to the Mayo Clinic, are coffee, vitamin C and cherries. While none has proved effective in treating acute gouty arthritis attacks, they have shown evidence of reducing the amount of uric acid in the bloodstream. Stress reduction through meditation, exercise and other relaxation techniques may also be helpful for coping with chronic gout.
