Gout Treatment: Medication for Gout

Gout refers to the painful inflammation of joints, in which the affected area turns red and triggers a burning sensation persistently. When there is too much of uric acid in the blood, it creates an environment where in uric acid crystals develop and eventually get deposited in the tissues of the joints. This build up of uric acid causes intense joint pain and inflammation. Gout treatment and medication involve removing excess uric acid out of the body. Decreasing uric acid levels is the key to subside joint pain, which can be achieved through prescription medicines.

Painkillers
This is usually the first line of treatment to relieve pain associated with gout. Oral administration of pain medications is used to reduce the joint inflammation. Painkillers are basically non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that do an excellent job of relieving symptoms of gout. The dosage depends on how severe is the pain and the inflammation. Following are the pain relievers:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Indomethacin

Corticosteroids
corticosteroids are strong anti-inflammatory agents and equally effective to 'suck out' pain from gout patients. Gout patients put on corticosteroids show a considerable amount of improvement in their quality of life. corticosteroids are recommended when over the counter pain killers fail to provide any relief to the patient. Use of corticosteroids for long periods of time is not recommended because the patient is likely to suffer from worrisome side effects. A short-term course of corticosteroids is the best way to reap benefits of these medications. Following are the corticosteroids that can play a very important role to manage pain in gout:

• Prednisone
• Hydrocortisone
• Dexamethasone
• Triamcinolone

Uric Acid Blockers
These medications target the root cause of the problem which is nothing but excess uric acid production. The key to get rid of discomfort that accompanies gout is to stop the body from producing uric acid in large amounts. So, the doctor is likely to prescribe medications that do not allow the body to produce uric acid in surplus amounts. This can be achieved through uric acid blockers that can also help to prevent gout attacks in the long run. Some of the common uric acid blockers are given below:

• Zyloprim
• Uloric
• Aloprim

Uric Acid Removers
Another way to bring down high uric acid levels in blood is to give medications that help to increase the amount of uric acid excreted in the form of urine. The job of removing uric acid from blood and eliminating it through urine is done by the kidneys. The medication probenecid (probalan) stimulates the kidney to remove uric acid in larger amounts.

Home Remedies

In order to lower uric acid levels in blood, it is essential to have lot of water. This encourages elimination of uric acid through urine. So, doctors often advise to have 6-8 glasses of water daily to alleviate as well as prevent occurrence of gout problems in future. Other than increasing water intake, one need to avoid gout causing foods. In other words, a change in diet that is essential to alleviate symptoms of gout attack. In fact, choosing the right food for meals can prevent recurrence of gout attacks. Foods high in purines need to be excluded from the gout diet. This is because breakdown of purines during digestion releases several by products and one of them is uric acid. So, eating foods containing high amount of purines can increase blood uric acid levels. Minimizing intake of these foods can also contribute to keep gout problems at bay. It is observed that purine is found in abnormally high amounts in shellfish, salmon and sardines. Protein rich foods like eggs and chicken are high in purines and so must be eaten in moderation. However, people with suffering from gout should strictly avoid these foods.

Cherry Juice
Drinking cherry juice can also contribute to relieve symptoms of gout. Studies show that having 7-8 fresh cherries everyday is one of the best ways to reduce joint pain and swelling observed in gout patients. Cherry juice contains compounds that act as power anti-inflammatory agents. No wonder, gout sufferers get substantial relief by including cherry juice in their diet. Cherry juice for gout is an effective way to lower blood uric acid levels, thereby allowing the patient to get rid of inflammation.

Fruits
Having fruits like apples, grapes and bananas is also one of the best natural gout remedies. Gout patients are often advised to have 4-5 apples everyday. The pleasant taste of apples is due to malic acid, which helps to get rid of uric acid deposits accumulated in the joints. Grapes being high in water content promote elimination of uric acid. Eating 7-8 bananas everyday can also have a positive impact on gout patients. Bananas are excellent sources of vitamin C, which is known to lower blood uric acid levels.

Honey
A combination of apple cider vinegar extract and honey can work wonders to reduce joint inflammation. Having a mixture containing honey (2-3 teaspoon) and apple cider vinegar in equal amounts is an excellent way to combat gout problems.

Lime Juice
As lime is rich in vitamin C, drinking lime juice can also provide gout pain relief. 2-3 glasses of lime juice daily can certainly decrease presence of uric acid in the blood.

Massage Oil
Massaging the affected area with proper oil is also very effective to reduce gout pain. In order to make massage oil for gout, add 6-7 rose petals to 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Heat the mixture until it starts boiling. Allow the solution to cool and then use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on the painful site.

Besides following a gout diet, one should maintain healthy weight. Being overweight increases the stress on the joints, which will aggravate gout problems. So, ensuring desired body weight complemented with moderate physical activity is an effective home remedy to prevent gout attacks.