Uric acid crystals result in gout. It is an inflammatory condition that usually affects men as a type of arthritis. It causes severe joint pain around the knees, feet, and ankles. However, there are certain measures that one can take for gout treatment. We will discuss these as well as home remedies in this article.
Types of medications
Some medicines may be prescribed to the patient on a regular basis; these can help to alleviate the symptoms of this condition:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
These medications are known to reduce the duration of the attack. If one takes them within the first twenty-four hours, then it really helps. They are usually prescribed to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. - Corticosteroids
These types of medications are usually administered orally or may even be injected into the body. They not only help in the reduction of the swelling but can also combat inflammation. In some cases, the doctor may also inject a hormone known as an adrenocorticotropic hormone to help the body produce corticosteroids naturally. The doctor may also give a combination of both at different times to help with alleviating the symptoms. - Colchicine
Colchicine is derived from a plant, which has been used to reduce the symptoms of gout for over 2,000 years. It helps to reduce pain and swelling. However, this may come with a specific side effect such as abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.
Reducing uric acid levels
The most ideal way to treat gout is by controlling uric acid levels in the body. Once they are controlled, the chances of a gout attack reduce considerably. The following medications can be consumed for reducing uric acid levels:
- Probenecid
- Allopurinol
- Lesinurad
- Febuxostat
- Pegloticase
In most cases, the doctor will wait until the most recent gout attack before he goes on to prescribe a dosage of the aforementioned medications. However, if they are consumed during the attack, then it can worsen the symptoms. It is essential to not take any medicines without consulting a doctor as it can really exacerbate the issue.
Home remedies and treatment measures
When one suffers an attack, here are the simple steps they can adopt for treating gout:
- Take any anti-inflammatory medication
- Put an ice pack on the affected joint to alleviate the pain right away
- Elevate the joint immediately so that the discomfort reduces
- Drink fluids that are not sweetened
- Call for medical help directly if the pain becomes excruciating
These measures are the easiest home remedies to alleviate the symptoms and simply provide one with instant relief.
Natural remedies for gout treatment
There are also a lot of natural remedies for gout management that one can incorporate in their daily routine:
- Consuming cherry or tart juice to help prevent gout attacks
- Taking magnesium as a dietary mineral to reduce the risk of gout
- Drinking warm water with turmeric, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice
- Consuming celery