Gout is a form of inflammation in arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the joint tissue, and is more common in men than women. To treat the symptoms that commonly accompany gout such as pain, swelling in the joints, and tophi, try reading the following article to find the most appropriate method.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing Gout and Understanding the Triggering Factors
Step 1. Understand the symptoms of gout
Caused by a buildup of uric acid, the symptoms of gout in each patient are actually very varied. In some patients, gout will become even more severe rather than lasting in isolated episodes. Generally, gout symptoms include:
- Warmth, pain, redness, and swelling in the joints of the body. Generally, these symptoms occur in the big toe, although it will often radiate to the ankle to the knee.
- Pain that lasts consistently at night with a very severe intensity.
- Itchy or peeling skin around the affected joints.
Step 2. Understand the purpose of treating gout
In fact, gout is accompanied by various forms of side effects and symptoms. To treat gout effectively, you first need to understand how to deal with the different aspects of the disease:
- Ends pain in acute attacks.
- Prevent repeated attacks.
- Prevents the formation of tophi (mass of uric acid crystals that accumulate in soft tissues).
- Prevents the growth of kidney stones.
Step 3. Identify the various factors that can trigger and exacerbate gout
Believe me, it's better to provide an umbrella before the body is already wet by the rain. As the saying goes, try to identify the various factors that can trigger and/or exacerbate gout so that in the future, you can better avoid it:
- Gout can be triggered by:
- Dehydration
- Eat too much
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Recent injury or trauma
- Gout can be made worse by:
- Obesity and weight gain
- Alcohol consumption
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Certain drugs
Part 2 of 4: Treating Gout Attacks
Step 1. Apply a cold compress to the gout affected area for 15 minutes
This process can be done as often as possible each day, as long as the skin is still rested every 15 minutes. To do this, you first need to bandage an ice cube with a towel, then apply it to the painful area. As a result, afterwards the pain and swelling that occurs will be reduced.
Do not let the skin come into direct contact with the ice cubes to avoid tissue damage
Step 2. Do not move the joints affected by gout
Instead, lift the area as much as you can to relieve the pain and inflammation.
- Give your body time to rest and recover.
- Do not increase the load on the joints!
Step 3. Take NSAIDs after consulting your doctor
NSAIDs are an abbreviation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and are usually sold as over-the-counter drugs or over-the-counter drugs that must be purchased with a doctor's prescription through the brand names ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin. Drugs belonging to this group can effectively relieve pain and inflammation in the body.
- Do not take any medication before consulting your doctor.
- Follow all instructions listed on the medicine package.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking colchicine
Colchicine is a drug that is packaged in tablet form, and is intended to treat inflammation caused by uric acid crystals. Colchicine may also be useful for pain relief in patients who cannot take NSAIDs, although both can also be taken together. Some research suggests that taking colchicine can reduce the risk of gout attacks recurring in the future.
- Colchicine will work most effectively if taken a maximum of 36 hours after the attack occurred.
- Do not take colchicine if you have taken this medication in the last 14 days to relieve another acute attack.
Step 5. Take corticosteroids to treat gout
Corticosteroids can help relieve a variety of symptoms associated with gout, such as pain, redness, and swelling. In particular, corticosteroids should be taken if:
- Gout disorder occurs in a single joint
- There is an attack of gout that cannot be relieved by NSAIDs
- Your medical history prevents you from taking colchicine or NSAIDs such as naproxen
Step 6. Consult various treatment methods that can be done to treat gout attacks to the doctor
If you notice the appearance of symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain due to a gout attack, immediately consult a doctor. Supposedly, the doctor can recommend treatment methods along with drugs that you can take to overcome them.
Part 3 of 4: Managing Long-Term Complications
Step 1. Start taking medications to lower uric acid levels in the blood
Immediately see a doctor to consult the right type of medicine. Some that your doctor may recommend are:
- Uric acid lowering agent. Some of these are febuxostat, allopurinol, and probenecid. Generally, these drugs will be prescribed by a doctor to manage the intensity of gout.
- Uricosuric agents. Basically, uricosuric agents function to increase the process of removing excess uric acid from the kidneys through urine. So far, the benefits of uricosuric agents have been felt by about 75% of gout patients.
- Xanthine oxidase inhibitors. This type of drug is able to prevent the formation of xanthine oxidase, a chemical that plays an important role in the process of uric acid buildup.
Step 2. Manage your weight and exercise more often
Exercising regularly can help you lose weight and manage the pain that accompanies arthritis. In fact, you only need to set aside 30 minutes per day to exercise to feel the benefits. In particular, try taking more leisurely walks, aerobic exercise, or strength training to treat gout long-term.
Step 3. Manage your drinks
Alcohol, especially beer, can block the release of uric acid into the urine. As a result, the production of uric acid will accumulate in your body. In particular, beer contains very high levels of purines which sooner or later, will be broken down into uric acid by your body.
Step 4. Drink at least 3 liters of fluids per day
It's best to drink enough water. So that the taste is not boring, you can also add sliced orange, lemon, or cucumber to the water. If you want a more varied option, you can also drink tea or coffee, and eat foods that are high in water content such as soups, fruits, and vegetables.
Coffee is actually effective in lowering uric acid levels so it is suitable for consumption to manage the intensity of gout
Step 5. Tell your doctor what medications you are taking
Some medications may interact negatively with medications intended to treat gout. In addition, there are also drugs that can affect the amount of uric acid your body produces. Therefore, always inform your doctor about the medicines you are taking and their potential interactions.
Step 6. Protect your joints
Avoid joint injuries and repetitive movements that can make joint pain worse. For example, walk or run on a softer surface (such as an artificial jogging track or sand) instead of cement.
Part 4 of 4: Improving Your Diet
Step 1. Avoid foods that have a high risk of aggravating gout
Foods with high purine levels actually have a very high risk of aggravating the intensity of the gout you experience. In particular, purines can increase uric acid levels in the body and cause inflammation that makes joints painful. Some types of food that you must avoid are:
- Organs in animals, such as liver, kidney, thymus gland, and brain
- Meat, especially red meat such as bacon, beef, lamb, and other meats that have a strong flavor
- Anchovies, sardines, scallops, mackerel and herring
- Meat sauce
- Beer
Step 2. Limit the intake of foods that contain moderate levels of purines
Foods that can be consumed in reasonable portions and not excessive are:
- Seafood and fish (other than high-purine seafood)
- Oatmeal
Step 3. Enjoy foods that are low in purines
You can enjoy the following foods without worrying about their impact on uric acid buildup:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Fruits and juices produced from them
- Processed breads and cereals (not made from whole grains)
- Chocolate and cocoa
- Butter, buttermilk, eggs and cheese
- Drinks such as coffee, tea and carbonated soda
- Nuts and the jam made from them
Step 4. Try eating foods that claim to treat gout
In fact, low-purine foods are not very influential in overcoming gout, although eating them certainly doesn't hurt. Foods that are very influential in reducing gout symptoms are:
- Low-fat or non-fat milk
- Low fat yogurt
Tips
- Eating foods rich in potassium can reduce the intensity of symptoms during a gout attack.
- Do not take aspirin while having a gout attack. Instead, take low-dose over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.
- Access the https://www.arthritis.org/ page to find more complete and detailed information regarding gout.
Warning
- Gout is also associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
- Acute gout disorders that keep recurring can trigger gouty arthritis, which is a degenerative form of arthritis.
