Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Arthritis

Treatment of Gout

The objectives of treatment are mainly to stop the pain and inflammation associated with the initial attack, and to prevent future attacks.

Medications: Colchicine is one of the anti-inflammatory medications that is effective in reducing the pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with acute gout attacks. (ordinary analgesics like paracetemol will not relieve the pain). The pain usually subsides within 12 hours of starting treatment and is completely relieved in 48 hours. The medication works by decreasing the inflammation caused by uric acid crystals within the joint. However, it does not decrease the uric acid levels in the bloodstream. Daily use of colchicine or allopurinol helps prevent future attacks. Codeine or other analgesics may occasionally be prescribed for pain relief.

Lifestyle: Cut down on alcohol consumption Avoid food etc. which you know can cause attacks Watch your weight. The uric acid crystals can be secreted in the urinary system as calculi (stones). Therefore you have to drink plenty of water, preferably 10-12 glasses a day, in order to wash out the urinary system and prevent any stones from developing.

 

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