Gout is a form of arthritis that causes pain in the joints, especially the big toe. The condition occurs due to an increase in uric acid in the body turns to crystals and settles into joints in the body. This condition affects approximately 3 million Americans and is more common for males than females, according to the American College of Rheumatology. Treatment for a gout attack includes therapy, diet modifications and medications.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy may help ease pain around the joints during a gout attack. Using a heating pad, swimming in a heated pool and taking a warm bath may be helpful warming the joint to assist with easing the pain, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Medication
Gout may cause severe joint pain during an attack. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can help decrease the gout pain and inflammation caused by the attack. Taking additional medications such as a corticosteroid may help control the pain of the gout attack. Corticosteroids are available in pill form or as an injection directly into the joint. Colchicine is a prescription medication that may help relieve the pain associated with gout.
Making Dietary Changes
Making changes to diet may help decrease symptoms of gout. Some changes include eating foods high in fiber such as potatoes and beans as well as increasing the consumption of antioxidant foods such as blueberries, cherries and squash. Individuals who suffer from gout need to avoid foods that are high in purines. Foods high in purines include organ meat, yeast and anchovies increase the production of uric acid in the body. Avoiding alcohol intake is also important for controlling uric acid levels. Combining purine-rich foods with alcohol may decrease the ability for the kidneys to eliminate excessive uric acid from the body. During an attack, an individual needs to drink at least 8 to 16 cups of fluid, according to MayoClinic.com.
Exercise
Individuals suffering from gout need to exercise 30 minutes each day, five days per week to help improve symptoms of gout, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Exercising, along with decreasing caloric intake, may help lower body weight and decrease obesity, which is a risk factor for gout.
Lifetime Treatment
Despite lifestyle changes and diet modifications, some individuals experience chronic problems with gout. Taking daily medications such as colchicine may help lower the uric acid levels in the body, which may decrease the frequency of painful attacks. Treating medical conditions that increase the risk of gout is also important for treating the condition. Medical conditions such as a hardening of the blood vessels and high blood pressure increase the likelihood of developing gout. Controlling these conditions may help decrease the symptoms of gout, but medications used to treat these conditions such as aspirin may also increase uric acid levels, according to MayoClinic.com.
