Treatment of Gout Infection

Gout is a disorder usually described as a form of arthritis whereby sudden attacks of pain and tenderness occur in the joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition occurs when urate crystals---produced when the body breaks down substances found in the body and in certain foods, known as purines---accumulate around the joints, resulting in inflammation and pain. In healthy patients, uric acid dissolves into the body and is passed through the kidneys and out through urine.

Treatment

• A blood sample is used to determine the level of uric acid in the body. However, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) notes that the uric acid test is not a definitive test for gout; testing for monosodium urate in joint fluid is. A sample for this test is obtained by inserting a needle into the space between the bones, at a joint.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, gout can be treated with medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, colchicines and/or steroids. While these treatments help to reduce joint pain and inflammation, the Arthritis Foundation notes that other drugs are more useful for long-term treatment. These include those medications that target uric acid build-up.

  According to the Arthritis Foundation, doctors will prescribe a treatment based upon whether the body is producing too much acid or whether it is not excreting the acid. In the case of too much uric acid, a doctor may prescribe allopurinol, which is supposed to slow the production of the acid. However, probenecid may be prescribed if the problem is that the body is not ridding itself of the acid.

  Each of the possible treatments of gout comes with potential side effects, including skin rashes, diarrhea, stomach pain or headache. While the dosage for each drug is different---consult your doctor before beginning any treatment, as many of them have interactions with other drugs, or if the patient has any other disease---the Arthritis Foundation recommends that they all be taken with food.

  Because gout occurs when urate crystals--produced when the body breaks down purines--accumulate, some doctors may recommend avoiding a diet with purines, such as liver, sweetbreads, anchovies, herring and mackerel. In addition, small amounts of purines may be found in other meats, fish and poultry, so the Mayo Clinic suggests a diet that limits the amount of animal protein to about 5 oz. per day. In addition, alcohol is high in purine content, so the Arthritis Foundation recommends limiting the amount of alcohol consumed.