Gout is a condition in which deposits of uric acid build up in the joints, particularly the big toe. Gout causes excruciating pain and inflammation of the affected joints. Patients with gout can take medications to relieve their pain as well as treatments to ward off future attacks.
Acute vs. Chronic
Gout is a chronic condition which is able to cause sudden flareups, also known as acute gout episodes. These acute bouts of gout can cause pain so intense that it is disabling and may putting the slightest pressure on the affected joint excruciating, the Patient Education Institute explains. Gout treatments can be aimed at relieving the pain from an acute gout flareup or can focus on attempting to prevent additional flareups from occurring.
Acute Treatment
There are several medications which can be used to treat acute gout, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Colchicine is a medication which can be very effective at treating gout if it is taken early in an attack. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, can also be used to relieve pain during an acute gout attack. Examples of these medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Corticosteroids can also be injected directly into the affected joint to relieve pain and inflammation during an acute gout episode.
Chronic Treatments
There are a number of different medications that can be used to prevent gout flareups. Thee American College of Rheumatology explains that medications which inhibit the production of uric acid, such as allopurinol and febuxostat, can be used to treat chronic gout. Probenecid increases the rate at which the kidneys eliminate uric acid; this medication is less effective in patients with reduced kidney function. Patients may also take small daily doses of colchicine and NSAIDs as a preventative measure.
Lifestyle Changes
There are a number of lifestyle changes that patients with gout can make to improve their condition, according to the Patient Education Institute. Drinking lots of water can help flush uric acid from the body. Patients can also benefit from eating a diet that does not contain much of a compound called purines, which get converted in the body to uric acid. Foods with high amounts of purines include shellfish and organ meats. Patients should also avoid alcohol as it can trigger an acute flareup of gout.
Alternative Treatments
Coffee consumption, according to the Mayo Clinic, can lower uric acid levels in the body. Some patients also benefit from increasing their daily intake of vitamin C, whether its through increased fruit consumption or supplementation. Cherries are also noted for their ability to reduce uric acid in the body. These treatments should be considered to be a supplement to other gout treatments instead of a sole method of managing gout.
