If you have gout you will be aware of the symptoms and will know that a flare-up is about to happen. The attack may have been triggered by eating purine rich foods or consuming alcohol or sugar-rich drinks. The symptoms can only be eased but not stopped.
Most attacks start with a burning, itching, or tingling feeling in a joint, mostly an hour or two before the flare-up begins. The joint may feel a little sore or stiff. After a while, the signs of gout begin. Sometimes there are no early signs and you may just wake up in the middle of the night with a painful joint. When it starts, there is redness and swelling in the area of attack with immense pain in the joint.
Managing pain is the most crucial part of treating the condition. Even slight pressure in the affected area is very painful. If the big toe is affected, sometimes even placing a light blanket on it will cause immense pain.
Relief without medicine
These suggestions can be considered to treat gout without medication:
- Using ice packs – Try ice packs or cold compresses to lower the inflammation and soothe the pain. Wrap ice in a towel and apply it to the joint at least 20 to 30 times a day. It can help to bring down the swelling.
- Resting – Resting the body is the best thing to do.
- Hydrating the body – Drink plenty of water to reduce uric acid levels.
- Avoiding food high in purines.
Medication to treat gout
Prescription drugs are used to treat gout if dietary changes and lifestyle interventions do not provide sufficient relief. There are two types of medications suggested for treating gout: Anti-inflammatory drugs and uric acid reducing drugs.
Anti-inflammatory medicines
NSAIDs (Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory Drugs) are used to relieve pain and swelling of an acute gout attack. For those who cannot take NSAIDs, steroids are recommended. Some of the medicines are given orally. Steroids are taken orally or by injection into the joint. The medicines help to suppress the inflammation and give short term relief. Oral treatment may be prescribed over several days or weeks. Steroid injections are prescribed when one joint is affected and medicines which may affect the whole system need not be given. Overuse of steroids can lead to weight gain, eye problems, high blood pressure and an increased risk of infection.
Uric acid-reducing drugs
When other interventions to reduce uric acid fail, doctors prescribe medication to reduce the uric acid levels. The medications either reduce the production of uric acid or increase the excretion of uric acid from the body. Probenecid, Uloric, Zyloprim, Lesinurad are some of the common oral medicines prescribed. They may be prescribed along with anti-inflammatory medicines. Krystexxa, a new biologic medicine administered intravenously, is used when other treatments do not yield results. This medicine works by converting uric acid into allantoin, which can be easily removed from the body. It can be administered only at a clinic or hospital.
The uric acid-reducing drugs have side effects like nausea, diarrhea, skin allergies, and mild headaches. It is best to consult with the doctors on what medicine suits your body and never go for self-medication.
