How to Fight Gout

Gout, a type of arthritis, can cause severe pain, redness and swelling in the joints. In gout sufferers, excessive build-up of uric acid in the blood causes the formation of uric acid crystals. These crystals can lodge in the soft lining of joints, causing pain and inflammation. Large concentrations of these crystals can even cause lasting damage to the bones of the joints. Fighting gout means treating both the symptoms of an attack and taking steps to prevent repeated attacks.

Things You'll Need

• Ice packs
• NSAID painkillers

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Instructions

• 1

  Rest and elevate the joint when a gout attack occurs. Apply ice packs to the painful joint.

• 2

  Ask your doctor about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to use as painkillers. Alternately, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid by mouth or injected. These medications can have side effects, so do not use them without consulting your doctor.

• 3

  Lose weight. Gout is often linked to obesity and other obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure. Managing your weight can help to reduce the likelihood of future gout attacks. Avoid exercise that put too much strain on your joints; swimming is a popular alternative for gout sufferers.

• 4

  Modify your diet. Uric acid is created within the body when certain cells, called "purines," are broken down. Cutting out foods with high purine levels, such as organ meats, seafood, alcohol and foods that contain yeast extract, can help to reduce the future incidence of gout. In addition, you should reduce your consumption of too much high-fructose foods and drinks, like sugary soft drinks, as these are known gout triggers as well.

• 5

  Talk to your doctor about urate-lowering therapy. Urate-lowering drugs such as allopurinol can help to reduce the rate at which uric acid crystals form in your body. Urate-lowering therapy isn't right for everyone, but it can help to reduce the risk of long-term joint damage from gout.