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What Are the Treatments for a Return of Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid in joints. While the condition is treatable, in many cases gout recurs repeatedly, requiring additional treatment.

  1. Identification

    • For a return of gout, doctors prescribe medications and usually begin patients on a long-term treatment to prevent future gout flare-ups.

    Types of Medications

    • To relieve the symptoms of a return of gout, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen or indomethacin; corticosteroid injections; or a drug known as colchicine. Medications like allopurinol or probenecid are commonly prescribed for preventing future flare-ups.

    Function

    • The drugs used to relieve the pain of gout suppress your immune system and reduce inflammation. Long-term drugs for gout limit the amount of uric acid in your body.

    Time Frame

    • Doctors normally prescribe oral medications for gout symptoms for four days to ten days, and you're likely to experience relief from pain within 12 hours to 48 hours, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Long-term medications are typically taken daily for months or years.

    Self Care

    • Drinking 8 cups to 16 cups of water, avoiding alcohol and eating only four ounces to six ounces of meat, fish and poultry per day also helps prevent the return of gout symptoms, according the Mayo Clinic. Obtaining protein from sources other than meats like low-fat or fat-free dairy, tofu, eggs and nut butters is also beneficial.

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