Gout is a condition that also goes by the name gouty arthritis. It's caused from a substance called uric acid. Under normal circumstances, uric acid gets flushed from your body through urine. But when gout takes place, uric acid doesn't get excreted properly and urate crystals form. These substances pool up at the joints and cause inflammation, swelling, redness and stiffness. Treatments for gout involve conventional and at-home remedies.
Anti-inflammatories
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to help reduce pain and inflammation in your joints. Examples of these are naproxen, ibuprofen and indomethacin. These can be found over the counter, or you can get stronger prescription formulas from your doctor.
Injections
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that's often used for treatment of skin conditions, breathing disorders, colitis and lupus. It can also be taken to treat your gout symptoms. It's a prescription formula that comes in pill form, or you can get an injection from your doctor directly into your joints that are affected.
Colchicine
Colchicine is a prescription formula specifically designed for gout treatment. This drug is often recommended for people who can't take NSAIDs, and it can help control your inflammation, pain and swelling. The only drawback of this medication is that it can cause side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Purines
Purines are substances found in various foods. When purines enter your body, they become converted to uric acid. If you have gout, avoid foods that have a high purine content. Examples of these include anchovies, sardines, mackerel, scallops, game meats, kidneys, livers, sweetbreads, hearts, and any type of meat derivative such as gravy, consomme and broth.
Fluids
When alcohol is consumed in moderate amounts, it doesn't cause a major impact on the body. But when you have gout, it can inhibit uric acid excretion and exacerbate symptoms. To avoid flare-ups, do not consume alcohol, even in small amounts. Water, on the other hand, can help flush uric acid from your system. The Institute of Medicine recommends that women get approximately 2.7 total liters of water a day and men get approximately 3.7 liters.
Fruit
According to the Mayo Clinic, adding cherries and other dark-colored fruits--such as blackberries, blueberries, purple grapes and raspberries--to your diet may be a safe way to supplement gout treatment. You can also use the extracts of these fruits and consume them fresh, frozen or canned.
Slow Weight Loss
If you're currently losing weight while you have gout, you should do it at a slow pace. According to the National Institutes of Health, quick weight loss may cause uric acid kidney stones to form.
