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Recommended Treatment for Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, redness and swelling in the large joint of the big toe or in other joints. Gout attacks often occur at night, and the pain can cause a patient to wake up. There are several effective treatments for gout.

  1. Nonprescription Drugs

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen may relieve the pain and inflammation of gout. These medications increase a patient's risk of developing stomach pain or ulcers.

    Prescription Drugs

    • Patients may be prescribed stronger NSAIDs for chronic gout cases. People who cannot tolerate NSAIDs may be prescribed colchicines or steroids.

    Alternative Medicine

    • Vitamin C, cherries and other alternative treatments may reduce the risk of gout. Alternative gout treatments should be discussed with a doctor.

    Lifestyle

    • Gout pain may be more effectively controlled if patients avoid alcohol, drink plenty of liquids and reduce their consumption of animal protein.

    Cause

    • Gout is caused by the accumulation of urate crystals around a joint. Urate crystal formation is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.

    Risk Factors

    • Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and narrowing of the arteries have a higher risk of developing gout. Gout risk is greater among men, postmenopausal women and users of low-dose aspirin.

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