Acute Gout Treatment

Caused by the elevated levels of uric acid in the body, acute gout manifests itself in acute inflammatory attacks of the joints. This is usually the result of the formation of uric acid crystals in the body which result in the inflammation and swelling of the joints. Before we can look at the acute gout treatments, let us look at some of the primary causes for gout formation.

Acute Gout Causes

High levels of uric acid in the body, also referred to as hyperuricemia, is the primary cause of acute gout in people. The excess uric acid levels in the body can be related to a range of factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, a diet consisting of alcohol, sugar, seafood, meat and even obesity. Medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, renal disorders and sickle cell anemia can result in gout as well. Leukemia, renal failure and metabolic syndrome are some of the common causes for acute gout. Certain medications such as hydrochlorothiazide are known to be the cause of acute gout.

Treatment of Acute Gout

For treating acute gouty arthritis, the doctor may recommend certain medications. This is based on the health of the individual and his/her preferences. There are essentially two types of medications for treating gout. They are classified under reliever and preventive medications. While NSAIDs and Colchicine are some of the common reliever medications for treating acute gout, preventive medications lower the levels of uric acid in the body and prevent the disease in the long run. The medications for treating gout include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): To reduce the swelling and the intense pain associated with gout, high doses of NSAIDs may be prescribed by the doctor. Once the gout is cured, lower doses are prescribed to prevent future attacks. The common over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen such as Motrin and Advil and naproxen such as Aleve. The acute cases of gout may require stronger doses of NSAIDs such as Indocin. Please keep in mind that NSAIDs may cause bleeding, ulcers and stomach pain. Pregnant women may want to consult their doctors before taking any of the over the counter NSAIDs.

Colchicine: Although NSAIDs continue to remain the preferred choice for the treatment of acute gout, in certain cases colchicine, a type of pain reliever that effectively reduces gout pain may be recommended by the doctor. Remember that colchicine may result in side effects such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Corticosteroids: In case the NSAIDs and colchicine fail to treat the gout, corticosteroids such as prednisone may be used as a treatment for acute gout. The steroids can either be directly injected into the inflamed joints or taken in a pill form. The common side effects include poor wound healing, decreased immunity and thinning bones.

Preventive Gout Medications: Medications which reduce the uric acid formation in the body are known as preventive drugs for gout. Allopurinol, febuxostat (Uloric), and probenecid are some of the most common preventive medications that are used for eliminating the excess uric acid levels in the body. It is important to keep in mind that allopurinol can result in side effects like stomach pain, headache, diarrhea and rash. In this case, stop the use of the drugs and consult a doctor immediately.

Lifestyle and Diet Changes: In addition to these methods of acute gout treatment, there are certain changes in lifestyle and diet that can help prevent a gout attack. To treat gout naturally, avoid a diet which contains foods rich in purines. This gout diet inhibits the uric acid formation after the metabolism of the food. The common purine rich foods include fish, seafood, yeast and yeast extracts, peas, beans, lentils, asparagus and mushrooms and meat/meat extracts. Include at least six to eight glasses of water each day and avoid alcohol.

Gout usually attacks the joints and causes excruciating and throbbing pain. The joints usually are quite tender and inflamed. The acute gout cases can lead to joint deformities and loss of motion in the joints. Proper and timely acute gout treatment is necessary, especially when you have had several attacks in the year. This also enables a patient to avoid the acute case of gout becoming a chronic one.