What are the most effective quick gout remedies. How do medical treatments compare to home remedies for gout relief. Can lifestyle changes prevent future gout attacks. What should you avoid when managing gout symptoms.

Understanding Gout: The Painful Joint Condition

Gout, a form of arthritis, is characterized by sudden, intense pain in the joints, often affecting the feet, ankles, or knees. The condition is notorious for its debilitating effects, with approximately half of all cases targeting the big toe. This can make even the simplest tasks, like wearing shoes, incredibly challenging.

The excruciating nature of gout attacks has led many sufferers to seek out various remedies, resulting in a proliferation of so-called “gout home remedies.” However, it’s crucial to distinguish between effective treatments and unproven methods.

What causes a gout attack?

Gout symptoms occur when excess uric acid in the body forms crystals in the joints. The immune system responds by attacking these crystals with white blood cells, which release inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. This process creates a cycle of inflammation, causing the joint to become, as Dr. Theodore Fields, a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, describes it, “a battlefield.”

Medical Treatments: The Gold Standard for Gout Relief

While gout attacks can subside on their own after a week or two, medical interventions can significantly speed up the healing process and prevent future flares. The standard medical treatments for acute gout attacks include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen
• Colchicine, which reduces uric acid build-up
• Steroids, such as prednisone

According to Dr. Fields, these medications are effective for 98 percent of patients in alleviating gout symptoms. It’s important to note that early intervention with these treatments can lead to faster relief and shorter duration of medication use.

How quickly do gout medications work?

When treating a sudden gout attack with appropriate medications, patients should expect to see a 50 percent improvement within 24 hours. If this level of improvement is not achieved, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider about adjusting the treatment approach.

Effective Home Remedies for Gout Relief

While medical treatments remain the primary approach to managing gout, certain home remedies can complement these interventions. Some effective home remedies for gout relief include:

1. Resting the affected joint
2. Applying ice packs to reduce swelling
3. Drinking cherry juice

Cherry juice, rich in vitamin C, can help increase uric acid excretion through urine. However, its effects are mild compared to prescription medications. It’s also worth noting that cherry juice may increase the risk of kidney stones in susceptible individuals.

Can home remedies replace medical treatments for gout?

While home remedies can provide some relief, Dr. Fields cautions against relying solely on these methods instead of taking prescribed medications. Delaying proper treatment can prolong the duration and intensity of a gout attack. It’s crucial to strike a balance between home remedies and medical interventions for optimal gout management.

Long-Term Strategies for Gout Prevention

Managing gout effectively involves not only treating acute attacks but also implementing strategies to prevent future flares. The American College of Rheumatology recommends several lifestyle modifications for long-term gout management:

Weight Management and Gout

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for individuals with gout. Excess weight can increase uric acid levels and put additional pressure on the joints. Implementing a weight loss plan, if necessary, can significantly contribute to reducing the frequency and severity of gout attacks.

The Low-Purine Diet: A Key to Gout Management

Following a low-purine diet is an effective way to reduce uric acid levels in the body. Purines are organic compounds that break down into uric acid. The “big four” foods to avoid or limit in a low-purine diet are:

• Alcohol
• Shellfish
• Red meat
• High fructose corn syrup

Interestingly, limiting these foods not only benefits gout management but also promotes heart health. This is particularly important as individuals with gout are at a higher risk for heart disease.

Is a strict low-purine diet necessary for gout management?

While following a low-purine diet is beneficial, Dr. Fields advises against overly restrictive dietary changes. He cautions that excessively limiting food choices can be challenging to maintain and may not provide significant additional benefits. The key is to find a balanced approach that is sustainable in the long term.

Navigating the First Gout Attack: A Crucial Turning Point

Experiencing a first gout attack can be a pivotal moment in managing the condition. After an initial attack, it’s reasonable to attempt preventing future occurrences through dietary changes alone. However, if a second attack occurs, it becomes essential to consider long-term preventive medications.

What are the long-term medication options for gout prevention?

Long-term medications for gout prevention include allopurinol and febuxostat. These medications work by limiting uric acid production in the body, thereby reducing the risk of crystal formation and subsequent gout attacks.

Dr. Fields emphasizes the importance of viewing gout management as an ongoing process rather than treating each attack as an isolated event. He uses the analogy of a book of matches: “If you have one match lit, it’s easy to put out, but if you have the whole book lit, it’s a lot harder.” This perspective underscores the value of preventive approaches in gout management.

The Role of Supplements in Gout Management

The market is flooded with various supplements and alternative remedies claiming to alleviate gout symptoms. Popular options include turmeric and bromelain. However, it’s crucial to approach these options with caution.

Are supplements effective for gout relief?

As of now, there is no significant scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of supplements in gout management. The effects of these supplements, if any, are not comparable to those of standard medical treatments. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before incorporating any supplements into a gout management plan.

Debunking Gout Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Gout is a condition often surrounded by misconceptions and outdated beliefs. Let’s address some common myths about gout and provide accurate information:

Is gout only a disease of the wealthy?

Historically, gout was known as the “disease of kings” due to its association with rich foods and alcohol. However, this is a misconception. Gout can affect individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds. While diet plays a role, genetic factors and overall health also contribute significantly to gout development.

Can gout be cured completely?

While gout can be effectively managed, there is currently no permanent cure for the condition. Long-term management through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes is crucial for controlling symptoms and preventing flares. With proper treatment, many individuals with gout can achieve long periods without attacks and maintain a good quality of life.

Is gout only a problem for older adults?

While gout is more common in older adults, it can affect people of all ages. In fact, some individuals may experience their first gout attack in their 20s or 30s. Early onset gout often has a strong genetic component and may require more aggressive management strategies.

The Future of Gout Treatment: Emerging Therapies and Research

As medical science advances, new approaches to gout management are being explored. These emerging therapies offer hope for more effective and targeted treatments in the future.

What are some promising developments in gout research?

Recent research has focused on developing new medications that target specific pathways involved in uric acid production and inflammation. Some areas of interest include:

• Uricase enzymes: These enzymes break down uric acid and could potentially offer a new approach to managing gout.
• Interleukin-1 inhibitors: These medications target specific inflammatory pathways involved in gout attacks.
• Gene therapy: Researchers are exploring ways to correct genetic factors that contribute to gout development.

While these therapies are still in various stages of development and testing, they represent exciting possibilities for improving gout management in the future.

How might personalized medicine impact gout treatment?

The field of personalized medicine holds promise for tailoring gout treatments to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, lifestyle factors, and specific disease characteristics. This approach could lead to more effective and targeted therapies with fewer side effects.

Living with Gout: Strategies for Daily Management

Managing gout extends beyond medication and diet. Implementing certain lifestyle strategies can significantly improve quality of life for individuals with gout.

How can stress management impact gout symptoms?

Stress can potentially trigger gout attacks in some individuals. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can be beneficial. These practices not only help manage stress but also contribute to overall health and well-being.

What role does hydration play in gout management?

Proper hydration is crucial for individuals with gout. Drinking adequate water helps the body flush out excess uric acid, potentially reducing the risk of crystal formation. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day, and increase intake during hot weather or physical activity.

Can regular exercise help manage gout?

Regular, low-impact exercise can be beneficial for gout management. Activities like swimming, cycling, or walking can help maintain a healthy weight, improve joint flexibility, and reduce stress. However, it’s important to avoid high-impact activities during acute gout attacks to prevent further joint irritation.

In conclusion, effective gout management requires a multifaceted approach combining medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, and ongoing monitoring. While quick remedies may provide temporary relief, long-term strategies are essential for preventing future attacks and maintaining overall joint health. By working closely with healthcare providers and staying informed about the latest developments in gout research, individuals with this condition can achieve better control over their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

What Works and What Doesn’t

Anyone who’s experienced a gout attack knows it can be excruciating, causing red, hot, painful, and swollen joints. Gout, a form of arthritis, typically affects the joints in the feet, ankles, or knees; around half the time it strikes in the big toe, which can make it impossible to wear shoes. Even the light fabric of a sock can be aggravating.

Because the pain from a gout attack can be so bad, people with the condition will often try anything out there to get relief, which has led to a boom in so-called gout home remedies.

While there are a few legitimate home remedies for gout out there, prescription medications remain the mainstay for treating gout, during an acute attack as well as over the long term to reduce gout attacks in the first place.

This Is Your Body During a Gout Attack

Gout symptoms occur when excess uric acid in your body forms crystals in the joints. The body treats these crystals like a foreign body and attacks them with white blood cells. The white cells, in turn, release inflammatory chemicals called cytokines into the joint fluid. The cytokines bring in more white cells, and on it goes.

“The joint becomes a battlefield,” says Theodore Fields, MD, professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and a rheumatologist the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

The Best Way to Treat a Gout Attack

Gout attacks can last for up to 10 days or longer and often subside on their own after a week or two, but medications will speed up healing and prevent future flares.

Standard medical treatments for a gout attack include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen (which can be purchased over the counter or in prescription strength)
• Colchicine, which reduces uric acid build-up
• Steroids, such as prednisone

For 98 percent of patients, says Dr. Fields, one of these medications these will knock out an attack.

Home Remedies for Instant Gout Relief

There are a couple of effective home remedies for a gout attack that you can use as an adjunct to medications. These include:

• Resting the joint
• Using ice packs to reduce swelling
• Drinking cherry juice

Cherry juice is high in vitamin C, which makes uric acid come out in the urine, but the effect is mild compared to some of the available medicines for gout attacks. Cherry juice can also increase the risk of kidney stones; they shouldn’t be used in anyone who is predisposed to them.

Dr. Fields cautions against relying solely on home remedies to relieve gout pain fast instead of taking medicine because the longer you wait, the longer it will take for your gout to get better.

“The good thing about treating a sudden gout attack with drugs right away is that you can take the medication for a very short time,” he says. “You should see a 50 percent improvement within 24 hours of treating an attack. If you’re not seeing that kind of improvement, you need to re-think what you’re doing and consult with your doctor about a different approach.”

Home Remedies for Long-Term Gout Relief

The American College of Rheumatology recommends a couple of lifestyle modifications for preventing future attacks of gout:

1) Lose weight if you need to. Being overweight can increase uric acid levels as well as put pressure on the joints.

2) Follow a low-purine diet. Another effective way to reduce uric acid levels is to follow a low-purine diet. Purines are organic compounds that break down into uric acid. Following a low-purine diet means avoiding “the big four” — alcohol, shellfish, red meat, and high fructose corn syrup.

Limiting these foods is also beneficial for heart health — and people with gout are at higher risk for heart disease.

But don’t go overboard with dietary changes to relieve gout pain though, advises Dr. Fields. “You can find lists of thousands of different foods you’re not supposed to have if you have gout. Those recommendations are impossible to follow and can make you crazy.”

How to Handle Your First Gout Attack

After a first attack of gout, it’s OK to try to stave off another one with dietary changes alone. But if you have another attack, it’s important to start taking preventive gout medications on a regular basis. Long-term medications for gout include allopurinol and febuxostat, both of which limit uric acid production.

Some patients, says Dr. Fields, treat each attack as a separate event and don’t talk to their doctors about doing a preventive approach. He uses the analogy of lighting a book of matches. “If you have one match lit, it’s easy to put out, but if you have the whole book lit, it’s a lot harder.”

Take Caution with Supplements for Gout

As for the many supplements and other purported home remedies available for gout, including turmeric and bromelain, there is no significant evidence backing them up as of now, and there’s no adequate evidence showing that supplements have any effect even comparable to that of medicines.

“From my point of view,” says Dr. Fields, “the home remedy concept to gout is often harmful because it keeps patients from taking medications that we know are effective.”

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Home remedies and natural treatments for gout

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Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and discomfort, often in the toes, ankles, and knees. There is no cure for gout, so a combination of medications and home remedies can help keep gout in remission.

Gout occurs when the body builds up too much uric acid. This acid is a by-product from when the body breaks down purines found in foods.

Making some dietary changes can help a person reduce their purine levels and the likelihood of having a gout flare.

Home remedies for gout include:

When a person has gout, they can experience significant swelling and inflammation. One of the ways to reduce swelling is by drinking more water.

Increasing fluid consumption can kick-start a person’s kidneys to release excess fluid, which can reduce swelling in a person with gout.

Water is best, but other clear fluids, such as broths and herbal teas are also good choices. People should avoid alcohol and sodas, which are high in purines.

However, anyone with congestive heart failure or kidney disease should talk to their doctor before increasing their fluid intake.

Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the joint can help reduce gout-related inflammation.

Try applying an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for 10–15 minutes at a time to help relieve pain.

If gout is affecting the feet, a person can also use a pack of frozen vegetables covered with a washcloth, as this may drape more easily over the feet.

Heightened stress can worsen a person’s gout symptoms. While it is not always possible to eliminate all sources of stress, the following tips might help:

• exercising, such as taking a brief walk, if the pain does not limit movement
• asking for time off from work
• journaling or reading a favorite book
• listening to music
• meditating

Getting enough rest can also help a person feel less stressed.

Gout can cause pain and swelling, especially in the feet, hands, knees, and ankles.

One way to reduce swelling is by elevating the affected joints. This encourages blood and fluid to move away from the joint and back toward the heart.

A person can also use an ice-pack in combination with elevation to reduce their gout symptoms.

While over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may not be “natural,” they are excellent options for treating pain and discomfort due to gout.

People should never take more than the recommended dose and always ask a doctor about whether OTC medicines might interfere with their other medications.

If OTC pain-relievers do not help, ask a doctor about stronger prescription medications.

Some people think drinking coffee may decrease the risk of experiencing gout.

A 2016 review and meta-analysis showed that those who drank more coffee were less likely to have gout. This may be because coffee can lower uric acid levels.

However, just because the study showed a correlation between higher coffee consumption and lower risk of gout, this does not mean that coffee caused the lower risk.

A research study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology found increasing cherry intake over 2-days decreased the risk for gout attacks by 35 percent in those with previously diagnosed gout.

Cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory compounds. The researchers found there were symptom-reducing benefits for those eating whole cherries or cherry juice, as well as people taking cherry extract supplements.

They also discovered a 75 percent risk reduction for gout attacks when a person consumed cherries in addition to taking a gout medication.

Cherries and cherry juice are available in many supermarkets. People can also buy cherry extract supplements in health food stores and online.

The authors of a 2015 study found that adding the juice of two freshly squeezed lemons to 2 liters of water each day reduced uric acid in people with gout.

The researchers concluded that lemon water helps to neutralize uric acid in the body, thus helping to reduce levels.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, drinking more than two liquor drinks or two beers per day increases a person’s risk for gout.

Beer is high in purines, so avoiding it can benefit a person with gout.

Some meats also contain high amounts of purines. Avoiding meats that contain high levels of purine might help to reduce a person’s gout symptoms.

Meats and fish that are high in purines include:

• bacon
• turkey
• veal
• venison
• organ meats, such as liver
• anchovies
• sardines
• mussels
• herring
• cod
• haddock
• trout
• scallops

Some medications, such as diuretics, can increase the risks of a uric acid buildup and gout flare.

It is essential that people do not stop taking their medication before speaking to a doctor about possible alternatives. In some cases, the benefits of the medication outweigh the side effects.

A doctor can also discuss which medications are available to help reduce gout symptoms.

Gout flare-ups can be painful and exhausting. Treatments, including home remedies, can reduce symptoms and help prevent future flare-ups.

Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can also help a person manage their condition.

If a person’s flare-ups do not start to improve after 48 hours, they should call their doctor to determine if they need further medical treatments.

Gout Risk Higher With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Do you know if you have sleep apnea? Here’s yet another reason to get checked for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea: A study published online on August 30, 2018, in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology showed that people with OSA have a higher risk of developing gout, a type of arthritis that causes swollen, painful, and stiff joints. In the follow-up of the study, researchers found that 4.9 percent of OSA patients and 2.6 percent of non-OSA patients developed gout.

Related: What Does Arthritis Pain Feel Like?

There are two other types of sleep apnea (central and complex) but they were not looked at in this study.

Study Proves Increased Risk for Gout, Both Short-Term and Long-Term

Overall, the risk of gout is greatest between one and two years after the diagnosis of OSA, with risk of onset of gout being more than 50 percent greater among those with sleep apnea compared with those without.

Related: Six Things People With Sleep Apnea Wish You Knew

But this new research shows that the risk remains long after that initial sleep apnea diagnosis. “This increased risk persisted over a longer period of time following sleep apnea diagnosis, those with sleep apnea having approximately 45 percent higher risk of gout compared with those without sleep apnea,” explains Milica Blagojevic-Bucknall, PhD, senior lecturer in statistics at the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre in the Research Institute for Primary Care & Health Sciences at Keele University in the United Kingdom.

Related: Celebrities With Rheumatic Diseases

Gout Risk Higher in People With Normal Body Weight — But Why?

The results looked at people with normal body mass index (BMI) and those who were overweight or obese. Interestingly, the risk was higher in those with normal weight. But this is because severity of OSA plays an important part in interpretation of the findings.

“Those with moderate or severe OSA are given CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) therapy; they are likely to be those who are more obese than those with mild OSA, for whom weight loss, jaw advancement devices, and sleeping position are recommended first line of treatment, with CPAP therapy given only if these fail.

This is perhaps the reason why those with lower BMI have a longer-term risk of gout, as CPAP is very effective and reverses OSA pathology, including improvements in hypertension. Since this risk was highest in people with normal BMI, people experiencing sleep apnea should be aware of the possibility of gout regardless of body mass index,” notes Dr. Blagojevic-Bucknall, adding “further research is needed to establish more firmly the relationship between CPAP and its impact on reduction of risk of gout.”

Related: What Are Rheumatic Diseases?

Neck and Waist Circumference Are Also Relevant in Sleep Apnea

It should further be noted that in some cases neck and waist circumference, rather than BMI, may be better correlates of sleep apnea as they take into account obesity distribution and are therefore associated with visceral obesity, which is associated with risk of OSA among others, Blagojevic-Bucknall points out.

What Is the Connection Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gout?

The most likely mechanism to explain the association between OSA and gout is that intermittent hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) causes an overproduction of uric acid, which in turn can lead to gout. “This raises the question as to whether correction of hypoxia in sleep apnea by treatment with CPAP lowers serum uric acid levels. This could theoretically both reduce the risk of incident gout and treat existing gout,” according to Blagojevic-Bucknall.

If you think you might have OSA or gout, seek help from a healthcare professional. Without proper treatment, both can lead to further damage.

Related: Sleep Apnea Can Pose Serious Threats to You and Others if It’s Not Diagnosed and Treated

Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSA occurs when the tongue falls back and blocks the airway. Sleep apnea symptoms include the following:

• Intense fatigue and difficulty concentrating during the day
• Loud snoring
• Short periods of breathing cessation while sleeping, followed by waking up suddenly while gasping or choking
• Waking up with a dry mouth, sore throat, or headache
• Depression or irritability
• High blood pressure
• Nighttime sweats
• Decreased sex drive

Some of these you might not be aware of, so if you have a sleeping partner, ask her or him to observe.

Related: Gout Treatment and Gout Prevention

The Diagnosing of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

After ruling out a blockage in your ear, nose, or throat, your physician will probably ask you to take an overnight sleep study, either in a clinic or at home. You will be attached to equipment that will monitor your heart, lung, and brain activity, as well as airflow, body movement, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

Signs and symptoms of gout:

• Attacks of severe pain in the affected joint
• Pain continues at a lower level after attack ends
• Joint appears swollen and red, and is tender to the touch
• Movement of the joint becomes increasingly limited

Testing for Gout and Diagnosis of Gout

Your doctor may order the following tests:

• Joint fluid test, dual energy CT scan, or ultrasound to look for the presence of urate crystals
• Blood test to measure the levels of uric acid and creatinine in your blood
• X-rays to eliminate other causes of joint inflammation

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Migraine vs. Headache: Differences and Similarities

Headaches are the most common reason why a person goes to the doctor or other healthcare professional for treatment. There are different types of headaches, for example, migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. The most common type of headache is tension headache. Migraine is much less common. There are few similarities between migraine and other headaches, for example, the severity of the pain can be the same, mild, moderate, or severe; and they can occur on one side or both sides of the head. However, there are many differences between migraine and other types of headaches. Migraine headaches also have different names, for example, migraine with aura and menstrual migraine.
Symptoms of migraine that usually aren’t experienced by a person with another type of headache include nausea, vomiting, worsens with mild exercise, debilitating pain, eye pain, throbbing head pain.
Migraine trigger include light, mild exercise, strong smells, certain foods like red wine, aged cheese, smoked meats, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, alcohol, and dairy products, menstrual period, stress, oversleeping, and changes in barometric pressure.
Untreated migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours, but may last for weeks. Most headaches resolve within 24-48 hours. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes migraine headaches; however, other headaches like tension headaches have more specific triggers and causes. Additional tests usually are required to diagnose migraine from other types of headaches, diseases, or other medical problems. Most headaches can be treated and cured with home remedies like essential oils, massage, and over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) or ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin). Most headaches resolve with OTC and home remedy treatment, while your doctor may need to prescribe medication to treat your migraines. If you have the “worst headache of your life,” seek medical care immediately.

Suffering from gout pain? These five home remedies will provide relief from gout

Home remedies that will give you a respite from gout&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspGetty Images

Key Highlights

• Gout is caused when body produce uric acids in excess

• Drinking lots of water is one of the best ways to reduce swelling from gout

• Ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and therefore acts as an effective remedy of gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation and pain in joints. It can occur in knees, ankles and toes. It can also affect parts such as wrists, ears, and small joints in hands. Gout is caused when the body produces a lot of uric acids. Uric acid accumulates in joints and causes inflammation, discomfort and pain. 

Some dietary changes and home remedies can help one in case of gout. However, if the pain is sudden and intense, a doctor’s advice must be sought.

1. Drink a lot of water

Gout causes swelling and inflammation in joints and drinking lots of water helps in giving much-needed respite. Drinking plenty of water reduces swelling. Intake of fluid can kickstart kidneys to release excess fluids which can reduce swelling caused by gouts. 

However, alcohol and sodas must be avoided as they are high in purines. Also, people with congestive heart failure or kidney diseases must consult a doctor before going for this treatment. 

2. Ginger

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties are well-known and therefore can be used when one is suffering from gout. To practise this treatment, in boiling water add one tablespoon freshly grated ginger root. Take a washcloth and put it into the solution. Let it cool down and then apply it in the affected area. Do this at least once a day for 15-30 minutes. There might be skin irritation, therefore first apply it on a small patch on the skin. 

One can also drink the solution which is prepared by adding two teaspoon ginger root in boiling water. Drinking 3 cups a day will provide a much-needed relief from gout. 

There can be interactions too. Therefore, before starting this treatment, consult your doctor. 

3. Cherries

 A study found out that eating cherries reduced the risks of gouts by almost 35% to all those who have previously been a victim of gout. Cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory in nature. Researchers have found that cherry juice or eating whole cherries reduces the symptoms of gouts. 

Researchers also claim that when cherries are consumed in addition to gout medications, it reduced risks of gout attacks by 75%. 

4. Applying ice

An ice pack covered in a cloth can also be applied in the affected area of gout to reduce anti-inflammation. Use a thin towel, cover an ice pack and apply it in the affected part for 10-15 minutes. 

5. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps in reducing swelling and pain. The presence of acidity also helps in reducing inflammation. 

Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Stir well and drink it two-three times a day. If this solution starts providing relief, the intake of apple cider vinegar in the mixture can be increased. 

6. Lemon juice

Researches have shown that lemon juice lowers uric acid in people with gout. 

Normal lemon juice can be consumed in case of gout. One can also squeeze half a lemon into warm water with two teaspoons of turmeric and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for relief from gout.  This solution can be taken twice or thrice a day. 

7. Fish

Fish has anti-inflammatory compounds that improve overall health. Some researches concluded that it is helpful in reducing uric acid levels. 

However, Arthritis Foundation has described various fish such as sardines, cod, anchovies which are high in purines that can worsen gout symptoms. Therefore fish can be used in gout with precaution and prescription. 

Apart from these remedies, one should avoid stress as it worsens gout’s symptoms. When you are facing stress, go for a short walk, take a break from work, listen to music or meditate. Also, some meats are high in purine content, so avoid that. These include – bacon, turkey, sardines, liver, mussels and cod. Also, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising help in relieving symptoms of gouts. Beer is also high in purine, so it gives you another reason to reduce alcohol consumption. And if gouts flare-ups don’t reduce in 48 hours, contact a doctor immediately.  

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

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Treating Gout Pain with Compounded Pain Creams

Gout is a complicated medical condition that usually affects the feet. It begins with too little uric acid being eliminated out of the body. Excess uric acid in the body builds up and forms crystals in the joints, causing swelling and pain. The pain that typically accompanies sudden gout attacks is intense and can feel as though the foot or joint is on fire. The small joint at the base of the big toe is the most common site for a gout attack. Other joints that can be affected include the ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows.

Understanding Gout

Gout manifests in four stages that vary in their symptoms and treatment options. The first stage of gout is hyperuricemia, too much uric acid in the blood because of inefficient elimination of uric acid from the body. If this is the only symptom, it is asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Not everyone who has hyperuricemia will develop gout, but those that do, need to take be aware of the problems and complications of gout. If hyperuricemia progresses, the second stage known as acute gout manifests.

Second Stage or Acute Gout

Hyperuricemia in the bloodstream can progress to forming urate crystals in the joints of the foot, ankle or knee; once these crystals appear, they cause swelling and moderate-to-intense pain, in what is now acute gout. This can make the joints hypersensitive to touch, even from something as innocuous as one’s own sheets, to the point of excruciating pain. The redness and swelling associated with acute gout makes the feet feel warm to the touch.

Acute gout attacks usually continue appearing over a period of months or years, manifesting very suddenly and lasting several days to weeks, if left untreated and can get more frequent and worse, causing joint damage as well as tendon and other tissue damage.

Third Stage – Intercritical Gout

The period between acute gout attacks is interval gout, or third stage gout. Also known as intercritical gout, the third stage is also asymptomatic. Despite the absence of pain, urate crystals are still being deposited in the joints.

Fourth Stage – Chronic Tophaceous Gout

Finally, chronic tophaceous gout, or fourth-stage gout, occurs when gout is left untreated for too long. Most people do not get this far with proper medication and treatment. Often taking several years or more than a decade to develop fully, chronic tophaceous gout entails hard nodules called “tophi” developing in the joints and tissues surrounding the joints.

Over time, tophi can do permanent damage to the joints and is the most debilitating, causing skin ulcers to appear. This is extremely rare and only if left untreated for decades. Tophi also often appear in other parts of the body, such as the fingers and ears. Permanent kidney damage at this point is also a possibility.

Uric Acid Buildup

The kidneys are the portal through which uric acid is eliminated and if they can’t do it fast enough, uric acid build-up occurs. Several medical conditions, including blood and metabolism disorders, sometimes cause gout by lowering uric acid excretion from the body.

Diet and alcohol use are often factors, as well. Genetics can also play a role, by making a person have a higher propensity for gout. Anything that prevents the body from efficiently processing uric acid or causes the body to produce too much uric acid, such as purine rich foods, can lead to uric acid buildup. Over time, the uric acid will crystallize, initiating the four-stage process of gout.

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Other Factors

Obesity, or weight gain, especially in youth and high blood pressure are risk factors for hyperuricemia and gout. Even some diuretic medications (or water pills) and medicines containing salicylate can elevate uric acid levels.

Uric acid is normally produced by the digestion and breakdown of purines. Foods that contain purines and cause excessive uric acid buildup include:

• red meat and wild game, turkey, and goose
• organ meats, such as liver and sweetbreads
• seafood, particularly tuna, shellfish, scallops, sardines, trout. haddock, sardines, anchovies, mussels, and herring
• Sugary foods and beverages, especially ones processed with high fructose corn syrup, such as sodas, syrups and some salad dressings, as well as sweetened cereals, bakery goods and candies

These can make the susceptibility for gout greater, especially in persons who cannot eliminate uric acid efficiently. To prevent gout, limit the intake of such foods.

Drinking too much alcohol, especially beer, which is rich in guanosine (a purine nucleoside), also leads to uric acid buildup and attacks of gout. Alcohol ingestion leads to dehydration, which prevents the body from eliminating uric acid efficiently. As the body starves or dehydrates, uric acid continues to build up in the joints.

It’s in the Kidneys

Normally, uric acid is excreted from the body through the kidneys. Some people who suffer from hypothyroidism and kidney disorders are at an increased risk of developing gout. The treatments for such disorders often interfere with the body’s ability to process uric acid, not to mention that a kidney disorder can also cause problems with uric acid elimination.

If gout is left untreated, kidney damage can occur, making it more and more difficult to process uric acid, thereby making the gout worse. This becomes a vicious cycle that deteriorates into crippling joint damage and deformity, as well as kidney stones and osteoporosis.

Effective Gout Treatments, Gout Remedies

Most gout requires long term treatment from a rheumatologist. Treatment plans vary based on a patient’s stage of gout, the severity of the condition and one’s general medical condition. Along with medical treatment plans, a diet of low purine foods and drinking plenty of water is also recommended to give the kidneys a chance to do their job.

Most curative treatments involve oral medications to restore a healthy balance of uric acid in the bloodstream, but this addresses the root of the problem, not necessarily the painful symptoms that remain.

Some doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (like nsaid) for pain and inflammation or use colchicine to reduce joint pain, while corticosteroids reduce joint inflammation and pain. Colchicine has side effects and drug interactions that not all patients can work with.

Topical Pain Creams

While oral medications address the uric acid buildup, people with gout will still experience pain and swelling in the affected areas. Topical creams are a common choice for relieving these symptoms, because they provide almost immediate gout pain relief during attacks of gout.

While oral pain medications may help reduce the pain caused by gout, topical creams offer relief directly at the site of pain – instead of waiting for pills that need to work through the bloodstream to take effect, you get gout relief instantly during a gout flare.

Another benefit of treating gout pain with topical pain creams, is that contrary to oral painkillers, there is no danger of harmful drug interactions. Patients taking multiple medications for medical conditions including gout may not be able to add oral gout medication painkillers to their healthcare regimens.

Topical pain creams work for virtually everyone and have very few side effects when used properly and they are an over-the-counter gout medicine.

Compounded Pain Creams

The Compounding Pharmacy of America understands how valuable topical pain creams are for countless patients looking for effective ways in treating gout pain.

Custom-compounded topical pain creams offer individualized and  immediate pain relief. Although adverse side effects are far less common with topical pain creams than oral painkillers, patients can have topical creams compounded to their needs to prevent any potential complications.

Many patients ask “Can I use lidocaine on my foot for gout pain?” The answer is yes. We can customize a topical pain cream with lidocaine that will work for your gout. Gout may be complex and difficult to treat, but custom-compounded topical pain creams from the Compounding Pharmacy of America offer instant relief from gout-related pain.

Don’t wait for pills to work their way through your bloodstream and risk dangerous drug interactions. Our topical pain cream is over-the-counter gout pain medicine that works instantly. Order custom-compounded topical pain creams to manage your pain quickly, safely and effectively.

Find More Quality Compounding Services

Updated: September 27, 2019 | Previously posted: July 6, 2017

Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America

Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.

He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Read More About Matthew Poteet, PharmD 

Home Remedies, Baking Soda, Treatment for Pain Relief

Uric acid is a common metabolic waste product formed during the breakdown of certain chemical compounds called purines, typically found in foods.

In a healthy body, uric acid is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and eliminated through urine.

However, if there is an excess of this substance in the blood due to a purine-heavy diet or kidney dysfunction, the acid solidifies to form urate crystals, which get deposited in the joints.

This is the beginning of gout, a debilitating form of arthritis that can trigger excruciating pain and swelling in the affected joints.

This condition gets progressively worse if not treated properly and can make even the slightest movement extremely difficult.

Home Remedies for Gout

Here are a few home remedies that may help in reducing the severity and frequency of gout symptoms.

1. Consume cherries

Include antioxidant-rich cherries in an overall healthy and well-balanced diet to keep your gout under control.

The consumption of cherry, as whole fruit, juice, or extract, is associated with a lower risk of gout flare-ups. (1)(2) However, further large-scale studies are still needed to conclusively establish these claims.

Note: Speak with your doctor about the correct dosage to avoid any undue side effects.

Summary:

Cherries are loaded with antioxidants that can help in cleansing your body of excess uric acid to prevent or mitigate gout attacks.

2. Drink coffee

Caffeine is the predominant alkaloid found in coffee that may help reduce the risk of gout by inhibiting the release of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that aids in the formation of uric acid. (3)

A review found coffee to be a more helpful diuretic than green tea to enhance urine output and thereby facilitate the excretion of greater amounts of uric acid.

However, this favorable effect cannot be attributed to caffeine as a moderate negative correlation was also observed between higher intake of decaffeinated coffee and lower uric acid levels. (4)(5)

Thus, the beverage need not contain high amounts of caffeine to engender the desired diuretic result.

Directions: It is best to confer with your doctor before increasing your coffee consumption. Generally, people are advised to keep their coffee intake at 2 cups a day.

Summary:

Coffee can help with the management of healthy uric acid levels in two ways: by inhibiting its formation and facilitating its excretion.

3. Apply an ice pack

You can treat the affected joint with a bit of cold therapy to temporarily relieve the symptoms of a gout attack. It may help lower inflammation and soothe the ache.

Directions: Simply wrap a few ice cubes in a kitchen towel and apply it to the painful site for 10 minutes at a time.

Note: Do not apply the ice directly onto the skin as it can lead to frostbite. Placing the ice pack on the skin for too long is also strictly ill-advised.

ALSO READ: Ice Therapy: When and How to Use It Correctly

4. Drink lemon juice

A study showed that the juice or water-soluble extracts derived from the lemon fruit might help reduce the serum uric acid levels in both human and rodent subjects. (6)

Directions: Drink lemon water every morning, but it is best to take your doctor’s approval before adding it to your daily routine.

ALSO READ: Lemons: Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Side Effects

5. Take ginger tea

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve joint pain and swelling in people with gout. (7)

Directions:

• Oral use: Boil 2 teaspoons of ginger root in a glass of water, and then filter out the tea. Drink 3 cups of this therapeutic beverage daily, particularly during an ongoing gout attack.
• Topical use: Add 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger root to a bowl of water and bring it to a boil. Immerse a clean washcloth in the mixture until it cools down. Wring out the excess water, and apply the damp cloth to the affected area for 15–30 minutes.

Note: Skin irritation is possible, so it’s best to do a test on a small patch of skin first. Consult your doctor before use

ALSO READ: Ginger: Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Recipes

6. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has a relatively high pH, which means it can make your body more alkaline if taken in proper quantities and thereby curb the formation of uric acid or crystals.

Moreover, it is credited with anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve gout pain and other related discomforts. (8)

Directions: Mix 2 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of water and drink this tonic twice a day to alleviate the symptoms of gout.

Note: ACV may be a mild acid, but it can still be quite corrosive for your tooth enamel and gastrointestinal tract if consumed without diluting first.

7. Use baking soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can neutralize stomach acid, so its consumption will increase the alkalinity of your blood and lower the amount of uric acid.

Directions: Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water until dissolved completely, and drink this solution two to three times per day for gout relief.

8. Take an Epsom salt bath

Epsom salt is used regularly by those who suffer from arthritis and gout. The Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate when mixed with water, both of which can help relax muscles and reduce joint inflammation. (9)

Directions: Dissolve 1–2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in your bath water and soak in it for 15–30 minutes to soothe the aches and pains associated with gout and other forms of arthritis.

9. Eat bananas

Bananas are one of the best dietary sources of potassium, an electrolyte mineral that plays a crucial role in various body functions.

Potassium not only inhibits the production of excess uric acid in the blood, but it also helps dissolve the existing uric crystals so that they can be easily filtered by the kidneys and subsequently flushed out in the urine. (10)

Directions: Consume one or two bananas a day to reduce gout flare-ups.

ALSO READ: 6 Reasons Your Banana Addiction Is Good for Your Health

10. Consume apple

Apple contains high amounts of dietary fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids while being low in purines, making it the perfect fruit for people with gout. (11)

Directions:

• Eat 1–2 apples every day to get a regular dose of antioxidants and gut-cleansing fiber.
• Consume 1–2 glasses of apple juice, but this will supply you with much less fiber.
• Dried apples can also be added to your dishes.

ALSO READ: Apples: Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Other Things to Know

11. Consider celery

Celery contains an ingredient that inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which produces uric acid in the body. (12)

Directions: Try eating celery many times per day, especially raw celery sticks, juice, extract, or seeds.

Self-Care Tips for Gout

Lifestyle changes cannot cure gout, but they can help control uric acid levels in the blood. Here are a few useful recommendations:

1. Rest

The first thing to do when dealing with a gout attack is to rest the affected joint. Exerting undue strain or pressure on an already painful joint only aggravates and prolongs your symptoms.

Because the big toe joint is the most frequent target of a gout attack, it may be wise to stay off your feet for the majority of the time that the condition persists.

2. Elevate your leg

Raising your leg at or above the heart level can keep the blood from pooling in the lower extremities by dispersing the flow to the rest of the body.

This can help bring down the swelling in your knees and feet during a gout attack.

3. Increase your fluid intake

You must consume ample amounts of fluids daily to dilute uric acid and facilitate its excretion through more urine output.

Water is your best bet, but you can also supplement your fluid needs through healthy juices and succulent fruits or vegetables.

Avoid alcohol and sweetened beverages such as sodas, which can dehydrate the body due to their strong diuretic effect.

ALSO READ: How to Increase Your Daily Fluid Intake

4. Maintain a healthy body weight

It is absolutely essential for people with gout to maintain their body weight within a healthy range to reduce the burden on their joints.

As obesity is a contributing factor to increased uric acid levels, the need for weight management is even more pressing. (13)

5. Exercise regularly and properly

Engage in a moderate form of exercise that does not push your body too much but keeps it active enough to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

As gout can render your joints achy and feeble, subjecting them to a rigorous workout will only add to the strain and will worsen your condition.

Ask your doctor to recommend exercises that are appropriate for your condition. (13)

6. Limit your alcohol intake

Overconsumption of alcohol can contribute to the development of gout and must be avoided.

Giving up alcohol completely is ideal, but if you must drink, it has to be in limited amounts. Besides, it may serve you well to steer clear of beer and other spirits. (13)

What to Eat

You should include some of the following food items in your diet to alleviate the symptoms of gout.

• Anti-inflammatory foods: Anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger and turmeric may help reduce the intensity of gout symptoms. Increase your intake of such foods, which can help your body fight the gout-induced inflammation from within. (7)(14)
• Some Chinese plants: Certain Chinese plants block xanthine oxidase and may also help treat gout. (15)(16)
• Magnesium-rich foods: Magnesium has been found useful in lowering elevated uric acid levels in the body. This beneficial effect was highlighted by a study that found a link between increased magnesium intake and reduced hyperuricemia. (17)

What Not to Eat

If you wish to keep your uric acid levels in check, it is essential that you minimize your intake of the following:

• Organ meats, which includes liver, kidney, and sweetbreads
• Red meat, particularly lamb and beef
• Certain vegetables, including mushrooms, asparagus, and cauliflower
• Seafood and shellfish, such as crabs, lobster, and sardines
• Foods with high sodium content, specifically sauces, and gravies

These dietary exclusions should be accompanied by proper dietary additions that include foods that are low in purines, such as cereals, vegetables, soya bean-based foods, and dairy products.

Common Questions About Gout

Does gout only affect obese people?

Gout affects people of all sizes but is more prevalent among those who figure on the heavier side.

Being overweight or obese can also put you at an increased risk of developing other weight-related health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

Does gout pain only attack the big toe?

The joints of the big toe are the most commonly affected by gout, but the condition is not limited to the big toe alone. A gout attack can involve almost any joint of the body, whether big or small.

Final Word

Gout is a chronic, painful condition that can take a disabling form if not managed properly. It is characterized by recurrent flare-ups, which have to be addressed through medical and non-medical interventions.

Moreover, you can reduce the intensity and frequency of these attacks by following a healthy lifestyle, which encompasses your food choices, exercise routine, and weight management.

Work with your doctor to come up with a proper diet plan that cuts down your purine intake while supplying you with other essential nutrients.

Similarly, ask your doctor to recommend suitable exercises that can help improve joint flexibility without aggravating gout pain.

Healthy living can go a long way in reducing your reliance on medications and preventing frequent or severe gout attacks.

Continue ReadingGout: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

References

1. Zhang Y, Neogi T, Chen C, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Choi HK. Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis and rheumatism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23023818. Published December 2012.
2. Chen P-E, Liu C-Y, Chien W-H, Chien C-W, Tung T-H. Effectiveness of Cherries in Reducing Uric Acid and Gout: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6914931/. Published December 4, 2019.
3. Choi HK, Curhan G. Coffee consumption and risk of incident gout in women: the Nurses’ Health Study. The American journal of clinical nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2937590/. Published October 2010.
4. MacFarlane LA, Kim SC. Gout: a review of nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors. Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4251556/. Published November 2014.
5. Zhang Y, Yang T, Zeng C, et al. Is coffee consumption associated with a lower risk of hyperuricaemia or gout? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27401353. Published July 8, 2016.
6. Chen L; Li M; Wu JL; Li JX; Ma ZC; Effect of lemon water soluble extract on hyperuricemia in a mouse model. Food & function. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31482168/.
7. Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, Hariri M, Darvishi L, Mofid MR. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: review of current evidence. International journal of preventive medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665023/. Published April 2013.
8. Yagnik D, Serafin V, J Shah A. Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/. Published January 29, 2018.
9. Gröber U, Werner T, Vormann J, Kisters K. Myth or Reality-Transdermal Magnesium? Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579607/. Published July 28, 2017.
10. Miller KC. Plasma potassium concentration and content changes after banana ingestion in exercised men. Journal of athletic training. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499889/. Published 2012.
11. Hyson DA. A comprehensive review of apples and apple components and their relationship to human health. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183591/. Published September 2011.
12. Dolati K, Rakhshandeh H, Golestani M, Forouzanfar F, Sadeghnia R, Sadeghnia HR. Inhibitory Effects of Apium graveolens on Xanthine Oxidase Activity and Serum Uric Acid Levels in Hyperuricemic Mice. Preventive nutrition and food science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047868/. Published June 2018.
13. Choi HK. A prescription for lifestyle change in patients with hyperuricemia and gout. Current opinion in rheumatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20035225. Published March 2010.
14. Kiyani MM, Sohail MF, Shahnaz G, et al. Evaluation of Turmeric Nanoparticles as Anti-Gout Agent: Modernization of a Traditional Drug. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359362/. Published January 11, 2019.
15. Zhou L, Liu L, Liu X, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of Chinese herbal decoction for the treatment of gout. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24465466. Published January 21, 2014.
16. Kong LD, Cai Y, Huang WW, Cheng CH, Tan RX. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by some Chinese medicinal plants used to treat gout. Journal of ethnopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11025157. Published November 2000.
17. Zhang Y, Qiu H. Dietary Magnesium Intake and Hyperuricemia among US Adults. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872714/. Published March 2, 2018.

Treatment of acute gout attack | Clinical Rheumatology Hospital No. 25

For the treatment of an acute attack of gout , the well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used, which have a number of advantages:

• Low frequency of side effects

• Possibility of substitution with other drugs

• Fast effect

• Good tolerance

Preparations of the NSAID group (nimesulide, meloxicam, celecoxib) are widely used in chronic gout.Sometimes a drug of combined action is very effective – allomaron (already in the second week of administration, the balance of uric acid approaches normal Due to their use, pathological substances are removed from the patient’s body, thereby significantly reducing the severity of the course of gout, reducing the severity of the articular syndrome, improving the indicators of renal function, immunological characteristics.

To prevent recurrent attacks of gouty arthritis, it is necessary to achieve a decrease in the level of uric acid in the plasma, for this two groups of drugs are used: drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid by the kidneys (urocosuric) and drugs that reduce its synthesis (uricodepressive)

Thus, adherence to a diet, regular intake of basic drugs (uricosuric, uricodepressive), NSAIDs if necessary, as well as EG courses at intervals of 6-8 months contribute to reducing the severity of gout and gouty arthritis

One of the auxiliary methods of treating gout is HIRUDOTHERAPY – treatment with leeches, especially if physiotherapy is contraindicated for the patient.

According to our observations, kind and intelligent people, as a rule, suffer from gout; and this pattern requires further study.

90,000 Treatment of gout with folk remedies at home

Disease pathogenesis

With an excessive intake of purine compounds from food, their gradual accumulation occurs.In particular, the course of the disease worsens against the background of renal failure. Example: purine compounds are supplied in normal quantities, but the kidneys cannot cope with the excretion of their metabolite – uric acid, so it gradually settles in the internal organs and joints. The cause of the pathology is quite easy to diagnose by conducting a complete biochemical blood test.

Most often, gout occurs in people who lead an unhealthy lifestyle. The typical patient is an older man, between 40 and 60 years old, who regularly drinks alcohol and eats fatty foods.Usually, during the examination, such a person reveals not only gout, but also obesity, diabetes, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia (lipid metabolism disorder).

Due to hormonal characteristics, women of reproductive age are much less likely to experience this disease. After menopause, the incidence of gout in women increases. In part, this phenomenon is influenced by both malnutrition and a decrease in kidney function. According to statistics, about 9% of the living adult population on the planet suffers from gout, so this ailment is a common disease.

Causes of occurrence

There are two reasons for the onset of the disease:

1. Decreased renal excretory function, due to which uric acid is not excreted in the required volume, and gradually accumulates in the joint capsules and internal organs.
2. Excessive intake of purine compounds in the body through food and drink, which leads to their accumulation in the body.

If the first factor is associated with serious disorders in the body that lead to kidney disease, then the second – with an incorrect lifestyle, heredity.Therefore, it is important to consider all the predisposing factors that contribute to the onset of gout at an older age:

1. Presence of inflammatory processes in the kidneys – glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis. Without proper treatment, these diseases can provoke a deterioration in organ function in the future, which will negatively affect the glomerular filtration rate.
2. Arterial hypertension. Increased pressure negatively affects the condition of the vascular wall, impairs renal function, which leads to the accumulation of uric acid in the future.
3. Obesity. It is usually associated with improper diet and is a provoking factor not only for gout, but also for metabolic syndrome.
4. Sedentary lifestyle. Against the background of physical inactivity, a slowdown in metabolism occurs, therefore, with age, the risk of metabolic disorders, including gout, increases.

Separately, it is necessary to consider the factor of malnutrition, which is key in the pathogenesis of the disease, if the patient does not have renal failure.Gout appears in people who eat fatty, fried and meat foods, often consume low-alcohol drinks.

What foods contribute to the appearance of excess uric acid in the body:

1. Fatty meat, fish, fried mushrooms.
2. Extractive substances – broths from meat, fatty poultry, seafood, mushrooms. Also, many types of leafy vegetables are classified as extractives, since they are rich in oxalic acid – cilantro, onions, garlic, parsley, dill, sorrel and spinach.
3. Many types of greens contain large amounts of oxalic acid, which negatively affects kidney function and contributes to the accumulation of uric acid in the body. These include sorrel, spinach, onions, citrus fruits, parsley, and dill.
4. Meat by-products – liver, lungs, heart, stomachs, kidneys.
5. Alcohol. Without exception, all alcoholic beverages contain a large amount of purine compounds. The record holders in this matter are two drinks – wine and beer.
6. Legumes – peas, chickpeas, lentils.
7. Carbonated sugary drinks, commercial packaged juices, tea, coffee and cocoa are also rich in uric acid.
8. Among sweets – chocolate, cream, pastries.

How to eat to prevent gouty attacks, list of foods:

1. The best source of animal proteins – lean meat of chicken, turkey, rabbit, eggs. Red and fatty meat is prohibited – duck, pork, beef, lamb.
2. Among dairy products, cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, skim milk are suitable.
3. The recommended sources of carbohydrates are cereals. Rice, buckwheat and pearl barley porridge are ideal.
4. Green leafy vegetables containing a large amount of oxalic acid are excluded from the diet, but a safe source of greens is added – tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers.
5. Any fruit other than citrus products can be used as a source of fruit.
6. From sweets, honey, marshmallow, marmalade, dried fruits are suitable – instead of chocolate products and pastries.
7. From drinks allowed herbal tea, compote, uzvar, rosehip infusion. A complete rejection of alcohol, coffee, cocoa and black tea follows.
8. Recommended fats – vegetable fats, which include unrefined oils, nuts, avocados. Animal fats and trans fats should be avoided.

In addition to a properly formulated diet, the patient should drink plenty of water, at least 1.5 liters per day, so that the kidneys can excrete more uric acid from the body. You can not starve, it is recommended to eat fractional portions, but often.If the stage of the disease is not started and is corrected only by dietary nutrition, traditional medicine recipes can be used. In advanced cases, the patient is prescribed medications. The use of home prescriptions should be discussed with your doctor.

Can gout be treated with folk remedies

The effectiveness of how to treat gout at home directly depends on several factors – the causes of joint pain and edema, the stage of development of the disease.If the patient has genetic disorders or a reduced production of certain enzymes in the body, it is impossible to do without taking medications. Alternatively, it is possible to agree with the attending physician the possibility of additional use of medicinal plants with a diuretic effect in order to remove excess uric acid from the body with plenty of drinking.

If gout has arisen against the background of metabolic disorders, autoimmune processes or rheumatism, then in this case they also focus on the drug solution to the problem with attacks of the disease.It is possible to take folk remedies if the inflammatory process does not intensify and the attacks do not occur for a long time, which indicates that a stable remission has been achieved. With the help of traditional medicine, you can stop a slight inflammatory sluggish process, because some herbs have an analgesic effect.

The most common cause of gout in older age is the abuse of fatty foods and alcohol. In this case, the use of traditional medicine methods is most appropriate, since many herbs have a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and tonic effect.To normalize the condition, it is enough to eat right and use folk recipes, if the disease is not too advanced. In severe cases, you will need to use medications to help remove uric acid from the body. The dosage of drugs is selected individually by the doctor, taking into account the high risk of side effects.

Available treatments for gout with folk remedies

Traditional medicine uses recipes for both external and internal use. What can be used:

1. Compresses.This is an external way of using a remedy. Typically, the active ingredient is applied to gauze and firmly applied for an extended period of time. The result is an effective and long-term effect on the affected area. Compresses relieve tension, discomfort and swelling. Usually, a compress is applied after intense physical exertion, long walking, when the weather changes. The simplest version of a compress without heating is a cabbage leaf, plantain, burdock. You can also scald these plants in boiling water, dry them, rub them with alcohol and put them under a gauze bandage.Leaves for compresses are also used in two ways – they are ground into a fine gruel and mixed with a fat cream, applied to the skin. The second option is to grind the leaves until the juice comes out, mix with honey and apply to the affected area.
2. Application is a physiotherapeutic treatment procedure, the essence of which is to apply active substances to the body that accelerate tissue healing, relieve inflammation, and trigger local regeneration. Usually they use hot clay, ozokerite, paraffin, medical bile.Many of the medicinal ingredients are anti-edematous, which is helpful for gout. It is impossible to use the method of treatment with the help of application during the period of exacerbation, since the hot components will intensify the inflammatory process, which will lead to a general deterioration in the condition. The duration of the procedure is about an hour, after which the remnants of the product are washed off with warm water, and a moisturizer is applied to the skin.
3. Alcohol infusions. Suitable for both external and oral use. Usually they take the necessary component, grind it and fill it with alcohol, and then leave it in a dark place to infuse for several weeks.After the specified time, the mixture is filtered to remove the remaining solid content. Then, according to the instructions or recommendations, take the finished mixture in a small amount. In the case of gout, such methods of preparing medicinal products are usually not used, since alcoholic beverages are categorically contraindicated in the presence of this disease.
4. Broths and teas. It is easier to prepare a decoction than a tincture, since you do not need to spend a lot of time on the recipe. Usually they take a dry herbal mixture, pour it over with boiling water, infuse for 15 minutes and take it before or after a meal.This is how tea is made. The broth must be boiled for half an hour in a water bath, strain and leave to infuse for about an hour.

Traditional methods of treating gout – recipes

It is completely impossible to cure gout. It is possible to get rid of gout by the method of symptomatic therapy, drowning out the signs of exacerbation. To eliminate joint pain, an integrated approach is recommended, aimed at eliminating uric acid in the blood and stopping attacks of gouty arthritis.A gout attack usually occurs suddenly, so it is recommended to prepare solutions of home medicines in advance in case of a sharp deterioration in health. Ideal adherence to a low-purine diet and the addition of light exercise are important.

You can treat gout on the legs with the following recipes:

1. Simple honey and salt compress. It is necessary to mix a tablespoon of honey and salt in equal proportions, apply on gauze and cover the area of ​​the affected joint for several hours. The course of treatment is up to 10 days.It is best to apply a compress before bed.
2. A compress of mustard and honey will help against severe pain syndrome. It is a popular remedy that helps relieve symptoms within 7-14 days, if used regularly. It is necessary to mix mustard powder and honey in equal proportions, adding a little soda. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little liquid to make it easier to apply. The resulting mixture should be rubbed well, in the area of ​​the fingers of the affected joint.Then a thick layer of gauze is applied on top to warm up the leg. The compress has a weak warming effect, therefore it is more suitable for chronic pain. It is necessary to apply the product daily for two weeks.
3. An infusion for oral administration based on a lemon-garlic mixture will help to avoid acute attacks caused by the deposition of uric acid salts. You need to take 4 lemons and 4 cloves of garlic, twisting them through a meat grinder. Then the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to infuse for three days in a dark place.Then the mixture is filtered and taken 3 times a day before each meal for 1 tbsp. spoon.
4. To combat gout at home, it is useful to treat with apple broth. You need to put 4 medium apples in a saucepan and remove the skin first. Then peeled fruit is poured with a liter of water. When the water boils, you need to cook the apples over low heat for 15 minutes. It is required to drink at least 3 cups per day. The method is simple, although it will not help to get rid of the disease forever, it will significantly ease the course of joint damage.
5. External tincture for a sore joint with bay leaves. You need to mix a teaspoon of crushed bay leaves and pour 100 g of ammonia, letting it brew in a sealed container for a week. Then the mixture is filtered and rubbed as a rub in the area of ​​the affected joint. A single dose of the mixture – no more than 2-3 g. Use the product once a day.
6. Herbal mixture for joint pain in external form. It is required to grind fresh plantain and wormwood into porridge in equal proportions.In order for the plants to acquire the consistency of an ointment, you need to add 2 tbsp. tablespoons of butter. Then the plants are mixed again, and the ointment is applied to the area of ​​the affected joint.
7. To slow down the formation of tophus in the joint area, it is useful to use medicated foot baths. It is enough to take a warm bath of water, adding 50 g of baking soda and a few drops of iodine. This mixture works well with swelling in the joint area. Foot baths are done daily before bedtime. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, after which they take a break.If necessary, a series of joint procedures are repeated.
8. External remedy – apple cider vinegar ointment. It is necessary to mix 100 g of apple cider vinegar undiluted, egg yolk. The components are mixed until smooth. It is easier to beat the mixture until a thick foam appears. Apply ointment to the affected joint 3-4 times a day. Store the ointment in the refrigerator.
9. Compress for joints based on sea coli. It is necessary to mix in equal proportions sea salt, ordinary flour, pouring a tablespoon of water.From the resulting mixture, roll out a thin layer of dough, and the strips of the product are applied to the joint area. Clay film is tied on top and left for several hours. The compress can be applied daily to the affected area for several weeks.
10. Anti-inflammatory fresh fish compress. A folk recipe for minced fish helps to cope with inflammation in the joint area. You need to take river fish, grind it into minced meat and apply to the affected areas. Keep the compress on your leg all night.The duration of therapy is 1 – 1.5 weeks.
11. Celery infusion for oral administration. It is necessary to chop the roots of celery and pour 1.5 liters of boiling water. Cover the mixture in a saucepan with a towel and leave for 4 hours. You need to drink an infusion before meals, a tablespoon 3 times a day. The product is stored in the refrigerator.
12. It is necessary to boil 3 potatoes with peels, after thoroughly washing the roots. A decoction of potatoes should be infused after readiness for several hours. Next, you should drain the top layer and drink a mixture of 100 g 2 times a day.Duration of admission is up to two weeks.

Editorial Opinion

Folk remedies for gout on the legs work well as part of a comprehensive treatment. If the patient carefully follows the diet, takes drugs that reduce the production of uric acid in the body, and supplements the therapy with home treatment, then the inflammation of the joints practically ceases to bother. If you have questions regarding gout therapy, you can leave comments at the bottom of the article.

90,000 Medicines for gout – an overview of the most effective remedies

The mechanism of occurrence of the disease

Gout is characterized by excessive accumulation of uric acid salts in tissues, joints and internal organs.This phenomenon occurs for two reasons:

1. Kidney disease. A decrease in the glomerular filtration rate is dangerous due to the occurrence of renal failure, against the background of which there is a delayed excretion of uric acid salts. As a result, the component builds up in large quantities in the joints, causing gout.
2. Metabolic disorders associated with excessive intake of purines in the body. If a person abuses alcohol for years, eats fatty, fried foods, then a lot of purine compounds in food enter the digestive tract.With age, the body gets tired of constantly utilizing excess purines, and uric acid begins to be deposited in the joint capsules.

Disease risk factors:

1. Male It has been proven that in men the disease is found more often. Women usually get gout during menopause.
2. Older age. Persons aged 40 – 60 are more likely to encounter the problem of gout for the first time.
3. Obesity. It is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome.
4. Arterial hypertension is a risk factor for kidney disease.
5. Pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis – inflammatory kidney disease, often leading to renal failure, if not treated.
6. Improper nutrition is one of the most significant factors. If a person often drinks alcohol and eats fatty semi-finished products, then at an older age he is provided with gout.

Drug treatment for gout

List of the most effective gout medicines to help fight the disease:

1. Preparations for gout, intended for the excretion of uric acid.These are the most effective pills for gout, as they fight the cause of the disease. After the diagnosis is made, depending on the specific case, these drugs are prescribed in course receptions or on an ongoing basis. Less often, it is possible to do without medication if the disease is detected at an early stage of development.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics. They are used in a short course to relieve pain associated with a gouty attack of pain. The exacerbation does not last long, but the pain is so severe that few people manage to do without pain medications.Selective NSAIDs are usually prescribed, which are less likely to cause side effects.
3. Corticosteroids. These are effective gout medications used in exceptional situations. Hormone therapy is prescribed in a short course, lasting no more than two weeks, in order to remove severe inflammation. The exacerbation can be so severe that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics cannot cope with the pain and severity of the inflammation. As a result, you have to resort to glucocorticosteroids.You cannot take hormonal drugs for a long time, as they cause many side effects, including hypercortisolism syndrome.
4. Local preparations for gout. They are used in the presence of a sluggish inflammatory process. It can be both anesthetic ointments and alcohol-based drugs. Less commonly, homeopathic remedies may be prescribed.

Pain relievers for gout

Usually, gout is detected at the stage of exacerbation, when there is swelling, redness and pain in the joint.Detection of gout before the onset of the clinical picture is an accident. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, when uric acid has not yet accumulated in large quantities in the joints, characteristic changes occur in the biochemical index of blood – the level of this component rises significantly, goes beyond the norm. The course is asymptomatic, so the onset of the disease can be detected by taking blood tests annually.

In 90% of cases, rarely does anyone check their health status on a regular basis, so the disease manifests itself suddenly with a sharp attack.An ambulance measure is the use of analgesics and pain relievers for gout, which will help alleviate the patient’s condition, before going to the doctor. The attack can be endured, because usually the pain goes away after 2-3 days, but without treatment, the discomfort will manifest itself more and more often.

These drugs treat swelling by symptomatic relief of inflammation. The pain also subsides at the same time. This type of drug is only suitable for symptomatic and short-term therapy.What drugs from the NSAID group are usually prescribed:

1. Diclofenac. It is a powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicine for gout, aimed at eliminating the discomfort associated with damage to the articular-ligamentous apparatus. The drug is the first line of choice when a rheumatic or gouty attack occurs, as it most effectively removes pain in such cases. Release form – tablets, injections, ointments, transdermal patches, oral capsules.The tool is not inferior in strength to many analogues and is inexpensive, therefore it is often prescribed for short-term use. You can not drink Diclofenac for more than 2-3 days, since without taking gastroprotectors, many patients may experience stomach problems. The product does not have a negative effect on the cartilage tissue of the joint, therefore it can be used by persons with degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Trade names – Olfen, Voltaren, Diclofenac Sodium.
2. Meloxicam.This NSAID also belongs to the first line of choice for exacerbation of gouty arthritis in order to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Meloxicam has the properties of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, which reduces gastrotoxic risks, therefore it is a good remedy for gout. This means that Meloxicam can be taken for longer without worrying about damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The drug intake should not exceed 3 weeks, which is 10 times longer than the use of indiscriminate cyclooxygenase inhibitors.The drug quickly eliminates severe pain associated with the inflammatory process in the joint. Meloxicam also helps with rheumatoid discomfort. There is evidence that this medication has a beneficial effect on the condition of the cartilage tissue. The remedy works for about 24 hours. Forms of release – tablets, injection solutions. Trade names – Meloxicam-Teva, Movalis, Melox.
3. Piroxicam. An indiscriminate NSAID, which is a 2-line drug choice for treating pain associated with gouty attacks.The medication has a large list of possible side effects, so it is not recommended to take it for more than 2 days in a row. Most often, Piroxicam is prescribed to relieve attacks of rheumatoid arthritis, but the medication is also suitable for the symptomatic treatment of pain in gout. The form of the drug is pills for gout. There are no data on negative effects on joints. The trade name is Piroxicam.
4. Ketorolac. NSAIDs with a powerful analgesic effect, but a weak anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.According to the strength of anesthesia among NSAIDs, Ketorolac has the strongest effect. Usually this drug is prescribed if the inflammation in the joint is not severe, but the patient has a hard time tolerating the pain. The drug feels like it starts to work after a few hours. The medication can be used for no more than 3 days. Release form – tablets, injection solution. Trade names – Ketanov, Ketorol, Ketorolac.

NSAIDs are often prescribed in the form of external ointments and gels. This form of release is less effective in terms of pain relief, but can significantly reduce the risks of systemic side effects.Also, external NSAIDs are suitable for long-term use. Less commonly, homeopathy and herbal gels are prescribed.

Effective gout tablets

The most effective pills for gout on the legs are those that lower the level of uric acid in the blood. It should be understood that these medications will not help to quickly stop an acute attack of gout, since they have a cumulative effect. They help flush out uric acid and reduce its production in the body. These medicines have some contraindications and should be used with caution in people with liver and kidney disease.One of the most effective remedies is anti-salt preparations.

Which medicines are better to choose from this pharmacological group:

1. Colchicine. The drug must be taken in a course of a limited amount of time in order to stop the exacerbation that has arisen against the background of the chronic course of hyperuricemia. The medicine is characterized by complex action and is of plant origin. The dosage is selected by the doctor individually. The drug is available in the form of tablets for oral administration.At the moment, Colchicine is an outdated remedy, but some specialists continue to prescribe it during an exacerbation.
2. Allopurinol. This drug is the main one in the treatment of hyperrucemia among agents that can inhibit the formation of uric acid in the body. Allopurinol is a cheap drug and is suitable for long-term use if the patient does not have serious contraindications for use. With the help of this drug, it is impossible to completely cure hyperuricemia, but with the right approach, therapy can get rid of attacks of gouty arthritis.The form of release of the medication is tablets for oral administration.

These drugs can not be treated by pregnant and lactating women. There are restrictions on admission for people suffering from kidney failure.

List of drugs intended for the excretion of uric acid salts:

1. Ampliwix. The medicine is suitable for long-term use and has a cumulative effect. The essence of the action is the accelerated excretion of purine compounds from the body along with urine. The drug has moderate diuretic properties.Release form – tablets.
2. Benemid. The medication is characterized by good tolerance and mild action, if we compare the reviews of many patients. Benemid has a weak diuretic (diuretic) effect and works relatively quickly if its pharmacological properties are assessed. Available in tablet form. The treatment regimen must be determined by the attending physician.
3. Anturan. It belongs to the most effective medicines aimed at accelerating the elimination of purine compounds from the body.Anturan has a moderate diuretic effect. Mostly well tolerated. The medicine also has a cumulative effect, so you should not wait for an instant result. Release form – tablets for oral administration.
4. Flexen. Has an extensive list of release forms – suppositories, tablets, ampoules and capsules for oral administration. Usually, Flexen is used urgently when it is necessary to relieve the symptoms of an exacerbation.

Sometimes patients are prescribed combination drugs.An example is Allomaron. The composition contains Allopurinol (a drug that inhibits the formation of uric acid) and Benzobromarone (a component that removes purine compounds from the body with urine).

Sometimes diuretics are prescribed as part of complex treatment. These medicines do not directly affect the course of the disease, but accelerate the excretion of uric acid salts. This effect is most relevant during a period of severe exacerbation or in the presence of very poor analyzes, when it is recommended to speed up the work of urinary means.Usually, mild diuretics are used that do not have a pronounced effect, since the faster the drug excretes urine, the higher the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

What drugs among diuretics are usually recommended:

1. Cyston is a herbal remedy often used in the complex treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases. The herbs that make up the medication have a mild diuretic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to fight more effectively with excess uric acid.The medicine is available in tablets. The course of treatment is prescribed individually.
2. Veroshpiron. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic aimed at relieving swelling. The diuretic also has antiandrogenic effects, so it is prescribed with caution to men with reduced gonadotropic function (with a lack of testosterone at an older age). The drug is taken in short courses, strictly as prescribed by the attending physician.
3. Canephron is a herbal remedy designed to improve kidney function and treat diseases of the genitourinary system.The composition contains a collection of herbs that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, weak diuretic properties. With the course of taking the medication, the risks of the formation of kidney stones are reduced, so it is useful to take it for people suffering from urolithiasis. Release form – tablets and drops. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.

The above medicines can also be used in combination.

Hormonal preparations

In case of hyperuricemia, systemic glucocorticosteroids are prescribed, which have a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effect.These drugs are not recommended for long-term use and are prescribed only in extreme cases, if the attack is very severe, and NSAIDs do not effectively relieve pain syndrome. Nearly all corticosteroids have a similar mechanism of action. For rheumatoid flare-ups and joint pain, it is better to use a long-acting steroid. Example – Diprospan. One injection is enough and the medicine will relieve pain for a month. Often prescribed tablet forms of release – Prednisolone or Metipred.The duration of pill therapy should not exceed 2 weeks, as the risk of hormonal imbalance, increased blood sugar and arterial hypertension increases.

Editorial Opinion

Gout is a systemic metabolic disorder in purine metabolism that is treated with medication and diet. In many cases, medications have to be taken throughout life, so it is important to choose them correctly. To study this disease in more detail, it is recommended to study other articles on our website.

Preparations for the treatment of gout: effective drugs (tablets) for gout – reviews

Medication for gout: list of drugs for gout

Gout is a joint disease that occurs when protein metabolism in the body is disturbed. During the development of the disease, the level of uric acid rises in the blood, which, when accumulated in the body, crystallizes and forms uric acid salts.These salts are deposited on tendons and joints.

If uric acid is not excreted from the body, these deposits grow, forming characteristic growths on the joints, which are called tofus in medicine. The body perceives them as foreign bodies and tries to reject them. In places where tophuses have formed, leukocytes are activated, and this leads to inflammation of the affected areas.

Most often, gout is localized in the joints of the legs. As a rule, the phalanges of the thumbs are affected.

Causes of the disease

In most cases, men suffer from gout after 40 years.Women can also be affected by this ailment, but this usually occurs after the onset of menopause. According to doctors, young women bypass this disease due to estrogen, which maintains hormonal balance in the body.

The main reasons that lead to the development of the disease are:

1. Overeating, eating a lot of meat and foods with an excessive content of salt, sugar, spices, vinegar.
2. Drinking alcoholic beverages in large quantities.
3. Sedentary work or sedentary lifestyle.
4. Stress and nervous exhaustion.
5. Hereditary factor, especially if family members are used to constantly overeating and little movement.
6. Kidney disease, which can cause salt deposits and provoke the development of gout.

In medicine, there are concepts of primary and secondary gout.In the first case, the disease develops due to the fact that the kidneys cannot remove from the body the amount of urate that is formed in the blood. With secondary gout, which occurs with prolonged intoxication of the body, diseased kidneys cannot cope with their functions.

Main signs and symptoms

The main signs of gout include: an inflamed joint (usually the big toe or knee), redness of the skin, and fever in the affected area.The attack of the disease usually begins at night and is manifested by a gradual increase in joint pain, which can last for several hours. In the morning, the pain subsides a little. Often during attacks, the pulse quickens, chills appear, body temperature rises and profuse sweating is observed.

A second attack of gout may occur several months later. There are cases that the disease does not manifest itself in any way for years.

If untreated, gout becomes chronic, in which urates in the form of granules accumulate in the tissues.The kidneys and joints are most affected by them. Uric acid salts in the form of crystals can accumulate in the hands, feet, tongue, ears, scrotum.

Chronic gout is manifested by stiffness of movement and crunching in the joints. Other symptoms include loss of basic joint function and severe pain that does not go away for a long time. Associated diseases: urolithiasis, cystitis and acute renal failure.

Drug treatment for gout

Drug treatment is carried out in two stages.First, gout pills are taken to relieve swelling, pain and redness. Usually, your doctor will prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Colchicine, Colchamin, or Indomethacin. Prednisolone or Dexamethasone may also be prescribed, which are shown to be taken at intervals of 6 hours.

During remission, which occurs after an exacerbation, patients feel significant relief. However, during this period it is necessary to take medications that lower the level of uric acid in the blood.Usually the doctor recommends Zinghofen. In no case should it be taken with an exacerbation of the disease – the drug, by provoking the movement of salts, will complicate the situation. To eliminate side effects, it is recommended to take Qinghofen intermittently.

For 1-2 weeks, Etamid is shown, and for a month – Urodan. This treatment minimizes the risk of gouty attacks. The duration of the second stage of treatment largely depends on the amount of uric acid contained in the patient’s blood.

Effect of uricodepressive drugs

Uricodepressive drugs, taken by the patient for six months, allow to normalize the level of uric acid in the blood. However, this does not stop therapy. It is corrected depending on what form of gout the patient suffers from. This group of drugs is used for:

• gout, in which tophuses are formed;
• joint lesions accompanied by diseases of the circulatory system;
• kidney diseases in which there is an increased excretion of uric acid salts;
• bladder stones.

After removal of the main symptoms of the disease, in case of detection of increased daily acid production, the patient is prescribed to take uricodepressants. Their use is not recommended to be combined with uricosuric drugs. Treatment of gout by means of this group is carried out for a long time with short interruptions.

Use of uricosuric preparations

When using uricosuric drugs, the tubular reabsorption of urates decreases, which leads to an increased excretion of uric acid by the kidneys.The main indication for treatment with drugs of this group is the renal type of gout, in which there is no pronounced gouty nephropathy. Also, drugs are prescribed for mixed type of gout, if the daily excretion of uric acid does not exceed 2.7 mol (below 450 mg), and with intolerance to Allopurinol.

Tablets of the group of uricosuric drugs are selected by the doctor for each patient individually. A prerequisite for their intake is the use of water in the amount of 2-2.5 liters per day.In addition, urine alkalinization is necessary. To do this, you need to drink alkaline mineral waters and consume baking soda (1 tsp each morning). Following these guidelines will help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Features of mixed-action drugs

Treatment of gout with mixed-action drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid from the body is considered the most optimal. These funds simultaneously have uricodepressive and uricosuric properties: by reducing the amount of uric acid formed by the liver, they increase its excretion by the kidneys.

When treating with drugs of this group, there is no need to prevent the formation of kidney stones, therefore, you can refuse to use a large amount of alkaline liquid. The only exceptions are those patients in whom stone formation was diagnosed earlier. In such cases, taking the prescribed drug should be accompanied by an abundant drink of alkaline mineral waters within 1-3 weeks after the start of treatment.

Effective drugs for the treatment of gout

Adenurik

For the treatment of gout, Adenuric began to be used recently.It selectively acts on xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that is involved in the formation of uric acid. Thanks to this, its normal level is maintained.

Before using the drug, you need to consult a doctor, because the tablets are contraindicated for people who are allergic to their components. In addition, it is better to refuse treatment with Adenuric for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Colchicine

Colchicine is used to relieve inflammatory pain that occurs during a gouty attack.When the drug is taken at the very beginning of an attack, its effectiveness is felt very quickly. In addition, it helps to eliminate salt from the body. However, side effects in the form of gastrointestinal disorders occur in patients quite often.

Kolhikum-Dispert

Colchicum-Dispert tablets for gout are made on the basis of the same active ingredient as Colchicine. This Austrian drug has a similar therapeutic effect and reduces the level of leukocytes at the site of inflammation.

The effect of Kolhikum-Dispert is felt approximately 10-12 hours after its administration. To suppress a gout attack, the patient must take 1.5-2 mg of the drug on the first day of an exacerbation of the disease. In the future, the dose can be reduced. With prolonged use, the development of myopathy, neuropathy or agranulocytosis is possible.

Probenecid

Tablets for gout Probenecid contribute to inhibition of renal tubular reabsorption of urate, and also increase the excretion of uric acid through urine.The drug is shown to be taken one tablet (0.25 mg) twice a day, gradually increasing the weekly dose by 0.50 mg. It is undesirable to take more than 2 g / day. The disadvantages of Probenecid are the possible development of resistance and the occurrence of an allergic rash or gastric dyspepsia.

Benzbromarone

Benzbromarone is another effective uricosuric agent. After taking it in patients, the level of uric acid in the blood decreases, since tubular reabsorption is blocked.It is generally well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, diarrhea and skin rashes may occur.

Today pharmacology offers many drugs for the treatment of gout. Correctly selected drugs will quickly bring the desired results. The treatment regimen should only be prescribed by a qualified specialist.

Source: ICD-10

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Reviews

Alla, 52 years old:

I have been taking Kolhikum-Dispert for about a year.I almost forgot about joint pains. There are no side effects, I take a pill per day. Now I can walk quickly, however, I have to follow a diet. However, the conclusion is unambiguous – the medicine helps!

Sergey, 45 years old:

Adenurik helps perfectly! The concentration of acid in the blood decreased, and he stopped taking Diclofenac and Allopurinol. I undergo the course of treatment with Adenuric once every six months.

Igor, 49 years old:

The pain disappeared exactly 8 hours after a single dose of Colchicine.On the second day, I could walk without significant pain. As a result, I have not had any special exacerbations for almost a year.

90,000 Gout treatment at home – PROFI.RU – Pros speak for deeds

It would seem a trifle – but unpleasant! Effective home remedies for gout have been around for a long time. But it refers to those diseases that a person simply does not pay attention to for a long time, therefore, treatment, as a rule, is delayed. Patients usually catch themselves and begin to look for ways to get rid of the disease only when huge bumps form around the joints.Fortunately, even at an advanced stage, you can get rid of gout.

Where does this attack come from?

An increase in the level of uric acid in the body leads to the development of gout. It either accumulates too quickly, or is removed too slowly, and why – science is still not known. Scientists, however, have identified a risk group: men over forty years old, obese and high blood pressure, as well as people with low cholesterol levels most often suffer from gout.

At first, the disease is asymptomatic.A person usually begins to experience discomfort even when, due to the high concentration of uric acid in the blood, needle-like salt crystals begin to form. The growth of crystals in the joints is accompanied by severe pain – inflammation begins.

Symptoms of gout

You can tell that you have gouty arthritis by the presence of the following symptoms:

• fairly severe joint pain;
• physical activity is painful;
• discomfort at rest at night and after waking up;
• swelling around the joints;
• increase in temperature in the area of ​​the diseased joint;
• red, shiny skin on the damaged area;
• chills and loss of appetite.

Home Recipes for Gout

One of the homemade recipes requires iodized salt on your household. Pour half a kilogram of salt into a saucepan, cover with water and boil until all the water has evaporated. Add 200 grams of petroleum jelly to a saucepan and mix the resulting mass. Make compresses with her. At the same time, you should drink linden broth every day and for the duration of treatment refuse to use peas, beans, tomatoes and sorrel.

With the help of any kind of fish after 10 nights, you can get rid of gout attacks.Take two kilograms of fish, cut into small pieces. Divide into 10 parts and place in plastic bags. Thus, you get ten ready-made compresses. Place them in the freezer. Now, before going to bed, you will need to unfreeze one bag and attach it to the joint. Then wrap this section with a warm scarf. To get rid of gout on the foot, wear a warm woolen sock after tying the compress to the bump.

Cold water should be poured into one large bowl, and grains of rye, oats, rice, barley, millet or other cereals should be brewed into another.When the water in the second container becomes warm, dip the sore joint first in cold water for 3-5 seconds, and then in a heated container with grains.

Grind a piece of bacon and rub it like a cream into sore joints. You can tie fat to the joint with a bandage overnight. In parallel, you need to introduce wheat porridge into your diet. It will relieve you of salt in the joints. After a week, the porridge can be boiled no longer in water, but in milk.

Activated carbon tablets should be ground to a powder, so that about half a glass of this black “flour” is collected.Add a spoonful of flaxseed to it. Apply the resulting paste to the gout-affected area overnight. Cover with plastic on top and wrap with a bandage. In addition, activated carbon can be used internally.

Treatment of gout

Gout, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. What medications can be used for this combination of diagnoses?

I was diagnosed with gout (deformity of the first phalanx of the joint of the big toe of the right foot). I am hypertensive, I have been taking diroton and tenoric for 6-7 years every day.In addition, I have diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent). Are diuretics (tenoric) contraindicated for gouty arthritis? What medications can be used for these diagnoses?

Olga, 48 years old, asked by email mail.

Natalia MARTUSEVICH, rheumatologist, associate professor of the 1st Department of Internal Diseases of the Belarusian State Medical University, Cand. honey. Sciences

Gout is a chronic disease associated with impaired purine metabolism, accompanied by a significant increase in the blood of uric acid salts, followed by the deposition of their crystals in tissues, often periarticular and articular.Clinically manifested by paroxysmal arthritis and possible damage to internal organs, primarily the kidneys.

In women before menopause, gout develops in exceptional cases. If gouty arthritis (PA) is diagnosed by a physician or surgeon, the rheumatologist should also confirm the diagnosis.

The main (“basic”) drug for the treatment of gouty arthritis is allopurinol. It lowers serum uric acid levels. Arthritis attacks are less frequent and the risk of kidney damage is reduced.It is prescribed in a small amount (50-100 mg / day) after the relief of exacerbation of gouty arthritis. The dose is gradually increased (50–100 mg weekly) until the target uric acid level (0.36 mmol / L) is reached.

Allopurinol has been used indefinitely. When you stop taking the original level of uric acid is restored. The attacks will resume on the 3rd day.

Cardiomagnet, aspirin, diuretics (diuretics) can exacerbate the disease, change the concentration of uric acid in the blood serum and provoke its crystallization.It is undesirable to use thiazide diuretics (hypothiazide). Thiazide-like (arifon retard) are acceptable, but not for a long time; uric acid levels must be controlled.

Concomitant diseases are fertile ground for the progression of gout. Arthritis attacks in this case are longer and more severe. Therefore, an indispensable condition for the successful treatment of PA is the compensation of diabetes mellitus and the correction of arterial hypertension.

In the latter case, given the presence of diabetes mellitus, ACE inhibitors (diroton, lisinopril, ramipril, etc.)). The most preferred drugs of the sartan group (losartan, valsartan). They lower uric acid levels while preserving kidney function without affecting sugar levels. They also do not cause coughing – a side effect of ACE inhibitors.

Tenoric has no direct contraindications for gouty arthritis. This combination drug contains 2 components: atenolol (a cardioselective beta-blocker) and chlorthalidone (a thiazide-like diuretic).

Natalia MARTUSEVICH , rheumatologist, associate professor of the 1st Department of Internal Medicine, BSMU, Cand.honey. Sciences
Medical Bulletin , March 11, 2010

Gout – treatment with hemocorrection methods, price

Specialists of the Clinical Hospital on Yauza work carry out a comprehensive diagnosis of gout and apply the most modern methods of treatment – both with the help of effective drug therapy and with the help of hemocorrection.

Gout is an inflammatory joint disease caused by the formation of large amounts of uric acid salts.As a rule, men suffer from gout (about 1 in 1000), while the risk of developing gout for women is five times lower.

Symptoms of gout

As a rule, gout affects the joints of the foot, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle. The joints of the big toe are very often affected.

At an early stage, the disease does not manifest itself; changes in the chemical composition of the blood can only be judged by laboratory tests. Then, most patients are faced with an acute attack of gouty arthritis.It is characterized by:

• acute pain in the joint area
• joint swelling
• temperature rise
• general weakness
• Difficulty of movement

A subacute gout attack is less pronounced: the pain is moderate, but exudative manifestations may develop, as well as larger joints may suffer.

If the disease becomes chronic, then the patient may lose mobility and become unable to work.Also, gout is characterized by the formation of nodules (tofuses), which are located in the area of ​​the auricles, fingers, elbows, in the subcutaneous tissue of the forearms, etc. During seizures, the tophus may break open.

Causes and pathogenesis of gout

Gout is a consequence of a violation of protein metabolism and the accumulation of uric acid and its salts – urates in the blood. This is due to the fact that the process of excretion of uric acid by the kidneys is disrupted, as well as disturbances in the work of the enzymatic system, which is responsible for the processing of urate.

Excess uric acid and urate is deposited in the joints in the form of salt crystals, which ultimately leads to joint inflammation.

Older men who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are predisposed to the development of gout.

Diagnosis and treatment of gout in the Clinical Hospital on Yauza

The main examination for which the patient is referred is a blood test to determine the level of uric acid. Its content is the most important basis for the diagnosis of gout.

To assess the degree of joint damage, the doctor directs the patient for an MRI or X-ray.

Joint puncture can also be performed to obtain joint fluid and analyze it. Since disorders of the kidneys play an important role in the pathogenesis of gout, the patient can undergo an ultrasound of this organ.

In the course of treatment, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, as well as a diet, the action of which is aimed at lowering the level of uric acid.It is also possible to reduce the level of uric acid in the blood using methods of extracorporeal hemocorrection.

Treatment of gout with hemocorrection methods

In the Clinical Hospital on Yauza, for the treatment of gout, the following are used:

Cryoapheresis ensures the removal of uric acid, and the incubation of the cell mass allows the drugs to be directed directly to the inflammation focus. Plasma cascade filtration allows you to selectively remove pathogens and viruses from blood plasma, while preserving useful elements.

Treatment of gout by methods of extracorporeal hemocorrection provides:

• rapid decrease in the level of uric acid in blood and tissues;
• rapid attenuation of inflammation and relief of joint pain;
• long-term anti-inflammatory effect;
• reduction of doses of drugs while increasing their effectiveness;
• improvement of blood supply to internal organs.