The most recommended gout treatment available nowadays makes use of different medications. There are different medications available in the market. These are: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Colchicine, Steroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), allopurinol, probenoid and sulfinpyrazone.
What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs? These drugs are Ibuprofen (advil) and naproxen (Aleve). They help control inflammation and pain in gout. However, there is a risk that comes with taking these medications. These types of drugs are more prone to stomach pains, bleeding and ulcers.
If you are unable to take NSAIDs, your doctor may recommend Colchicine. Colchicine is effective in controlling gout pain but has more side effects. You may feel nauseous, experience vomiting or even diarrhea.
Meanwhile, steroids are most commonly used in controlling the inflamed area. It can be injected in your joint or administered as pill. If you are unable to take either NSAIDs or colchicines, steroids are your next option. However, keep in mind that the intake of these medications will vary from one person to another.
Aside from these medications, it is also important to have proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. A proper diet can help eliminate or prevent the occurrence of gout, at the same time, it can help alleviate its symptoms. Of course, even without medications, there are still other ways on how you can reduce the pain and swelling experienced during a gout attack. Try to avoid rigorous physical exercise; instead, raising and resting your limb will do the trick. Do not cover the affected area, as the slightest touch can cause extreme pain. Instead, apply ice on the affected area to reduce swelling. Use a towel when applying ice to avoid damaging your skin.
Initial gout attacks are treated via medications to reduce the pain, swelling, redness and tenderness of the affected area. To prevent recurrent attacks, it is advised to take medications that reduce the uric acid level in the blood. It is also helpful to control your weight, limit intake of alcohol, particularly beer and limit consumption of meat and seafood. Make sure that you also talk to your doctor about what medications you are taking to prevent using ones that only increase the level of uric acid in your blood. Like in any other disease, seek your doctor’s advice before taking any medication.
Follow your doctor’s prescription properly and follow a moderate exercise program. People who have gout have a big chance of taking their medications for the rest of their lives so make sure you are using the right medication to avoid further complications.