Treatment of Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden attacks of pain and redness. It usually affects men more often than women, though women become more likely to be affected after menopause. Gout can be very painful, but it is treatable, and there are ways to reduce the rate of recurrence.

Treatment: NSAIDs

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help gout because they are painkillers and bring down inflammation. Many NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are available over the counter.

Treatment: Colchcine

• Colchicine is another anti-inflammatory drug, but unlike NSAIDs it is specifically for gout and will not help most types of pain. It is available as a daily oral medication or an intravenous medication for sudden attacks.

Treatment: Steroids

• Steroids may also be used to control pain and inflammation and can be taken orally or injected directly into the affected area. However, there are more side effects with steroids than with NSAIDs.

Prevention: Medication

• Two types of medications are used to prevent outbreaks of gout: uric acid-blocking medications that reduce the amount of uric acid your body produces, and uric acid-removing medications that improve your body's ability to get rid of uric acid.

Prevention: Diet

• The "gout diet" is sometimes prescribed to help prevent attacks. The diet involves cutting back on red meat, seafood and alcohol, and increasing intake of complex carbohydrates and low-fat dairy.