How to Stop Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that results from excessive uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is produced when purines--natural substances found in most food--break down and form hard crystals in the joints. It is more common in men than in women and often affects the big toe. Gout sufferers can take medication to manage existing attacks and make lifestyle changes to prevent new ones.

Things You'll Need

• Pain-management, anti-inflammatory and uric-acid-reducing medications
• Water
• Dairy products

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Take medications your doctor prescribes. She may may instruct you to take acetaminophen for pain relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids or colchicine decrease joint inflammation.

• 2

  Do not manage gout pain with aspirin-containing medications, which can prevent the kidneys from excreting uric acid.

• 3

  Prevent future attacks with prescribed medications such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, which reduce the heightened levels of uric acid in the blood that contribute to the metabolic derangement that causes gout. Your doctor may prescribe such medications after an acute gout attack has subsided. If you were already taking these medications prior to the attack, your doctor is likely to instruct you to continue taking them throughout the attack and to make adjustments after the attack ends.

• 4

  Notify your doctor if you have a history of kidney stones, nasal polyps or allergy to aspirin. Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone can cause kidney stones, and NSAIDS may trigger a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

• 5

  Prevent future attacks with dietary and lifestyle changes. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid fructose-containing soft drinks. Alcohol dehydrates the body, can bring on acute gout attacks and impedes the excretion of uric acid. Avoid purine-rich foods like shellfish and organ meats. Increase your intake of dairy products. Maintain a healthy weight by reducing your overall caloric intake and incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine.