Did you know that gout affects about 41 million people worldwide? Luckily, there are several effective ways to treat gout symptoms.
Are you currently suffering from gout? Do you know what steps to take to relieve your symptoms?
The following guide will explore how to treat gout with diet and gout medication.
What Is Gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is typically very painful. It usually affects joints in the lower extremities, such as those in the big toe. Other common locations include wrists, fingers, and elbows.
Gout flare-ups usually consist of swelling and joint pain. Those symptoms tend to last 1 to 2 weeks. Gout symptoms often develop quickly and subside slowly without treatment.
Those with gout usually have a remission period after flareups for weeks or even years. They’ll have no symptoms of gout during remission. However, future flare-ups might happen more often and last longer without treatment.
Gout Medication Options
Gout sufferers often turn to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief. These include over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen. Stronger prescription options include indomethacin and celecoxib.
Keep in mind that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a few common side effects to note. They can cause stomach pain, bleeding, and ulcers in patients.
Some doctors recommend colchicine to patients with gout. It’s another anti-inflammatory drug that helps limit gout pain. Common colchicine side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Corticosteroid medications like prednisone also help reduce gout inflammation and pain. It comes in pill form or gets injected directly into your joint. They sometimes cause mood changes and raise blood pressure.
How to Treat Gout with Diet
Your body breaks down the chemical purine and creates uric acid. Although purine naturally occurs in the body, certain foods also contain it. Uric acid is removed from your body when you urinate.
A diet designed for those with gout may help reduce uric acid levels. It isn’t a cure, but it may lower the frequency of gout attacks and limit damage to joints.
The goal of a gout diet is to help you maintain a healthy weight and limit foods with purine. Even losing weight without restricting purine can help lower uric acid levels.
Try eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that contain complex carbs. Stay away from foods and drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup.
You can have naturally sweetened juices, but try to limit the amount. You should stick mostly to drinking water and try to stay well-hydrated.
Limit your intake of saturated fats from red meat, high-fat poultry, and high-fat dairy items. Stick to lean meat, chicken, low-fat dairy, and lentils for your protein.
Treating Gout
Now you know how to treat gout with diet and medicine. A combination of healthy eating habits, exercise, and medication is the best gout treatment.
Remember this guide and lower your uric acid levels to relieve your joint pain today. Check out our health category for more helpful tips and information.
