If you've had gout, you know that attacks can be excruciatingly painful. Gout is a form of arthritis that can make your joints swollen and sore, often starting with the big toe. Although gout can't be cured, treatment and lifestyle choices can help most people control their symptoms.
Cause and Risk Factors
Gout develops when excess uric acid builds up in a joint, forming crystals that cause painful inflammation. Foods rich in purines may aggravate gout by contributing to excess uric acid. Other risk factors include family history, overweight, excessive drinking of alcohol, conditions such as kidney disease and high blood pressure, and medications such as diuretics, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Medications
Medicine is the main way to relieve gout symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic advises. To reduce pain and inflammation, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug or colchicine. Steroids may be used to relieve inflammation, either in pill form or by injection into the sore joints. If you've had gout repeatedly, you may need a medication that reduces uric acid in the blood.
Diet Strategies
Mayo Clinic's anti-gout diet includes limiting or avoiding high-purine foods that can worsen your symptoms. These include game and organ meats, asparagus, dried beans and peas, and fish and seafood including anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines and scallops. Patients are advised to use low-fat or fat-free dairy products and to avoid foods with refined sugar. You should drink plenty of water and other fluids --- at least eight glasses per day --- but limit alcoholic beverages, especially beer.
Lifestyle
If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can lower your risk for gout. Watching your diet and getting regular exercise can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. The National Institutes of Health warns that those prone to gout should avoid low-carbohydrate diets that are promoted for quick weight loss. These diets can increase uric acid in your blood.
Prognosis
Gout is an unusual form of arthritis in that it's usually not a chronic disease, but one that flares up now and then. According to the National Institutes of Health, you'll have more success controlling your symptoms and limiting future attacks if you take your medication as soon as you notice symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling. That also will help you avoid disability from long-term damage to your joints.
