Before medical help is available, some over the counter medication can provide temporary relief to the pain and swelling. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can reduce the pain and inflammation slightly, although aspirin should not be used as it can worsen the condition. Preparation H hemorrhoidal ointment can be applied to the swollen skin to reduce the swelling temporarily. Professional medical care is needed for long term management of gout. Ice may be applied for 20–30 minutes several times a day. There are concerns that uric acid crystallization is accelerated by low temperature, but in a 2002 study in the Journal of Rheumatology[11] patients who used ice packs had better relief of pain with no negative side effects. Keeping the affected area elevated above the level of the heart may help as well.
From Mayo clinic:
The cause of gout is an inflammation in your joint resulting from an accumulation of urate crystals. Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines. These are substances found naturally in your body as well as in certain foods, especially organ meats — such as liver, brains, kidney and sweetbreads — and anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms.
There's no sure way to prevent initial or subsequent attacks of gout, but if you already have gout, your doctor may prescribe certain drugs to reduce the risk or lessen the severity of future episodes. These drugs include allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim) and probenecid. Taken daily, they slow the rate at which uric acid is produced and speed its elimination from your body. In general, keeping uric acid levels within a normal range is the long-term key to preventing gout.
Excess consumption of alcohol is a common lifestyle factor that increases the risk of gout. Excess alcohol generally means more than two drinks a day for men and more than one for women. Gaining 30 pounds or more than your ideal weight during adulthood also increases your risk.
The cause of gout is an inflammation in your joint resulting from an accumulation of urate crystals. Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines. These are substances found naturally in your body as well as in certain foods, especially organ meats — such as liver, brains, kidney and sweetbreads — and anchovies, herring, asparagus and mushrooms.
There's no sure way to prevent initial or subsequent attacks of gout, but if you already have gout, your doctor may prescribe certain drugs to reduce the risk or lessen the severity of future episodes. These drugs include allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim) and probenecid. Taken daily, they slow the rate at which uric acid is produced and speed its elimination from your body. In general, keeping uric acid levels within a normal range is the long-term key to preventing gout.
Excess consumption of alcohol is a common lifestyle factor that increases the risk of gout. Excess alcohol generally means more than two drinks a day for men and more than one for women. Gaining 30 pounds or more than your ideal weight during adulthood also increases your risk.
fellow gout sufferer here. all the anti-inflamatories i was prescribed in the states didnt work for me. there is an anti-inlamatory i buy in costa rica called prexige. unfortunately you cant get it in the states but if you can get your hand on it, get somee. the shit is great. also you can get a shot of cortizone in the joint which helps for a couple weeks.
Eating cherries daily is supposedly a good natural remedy. my dad swears by it, unfortunately im allergic to a shitload of fruit, including cherries. also drink tons of water.
foods that are horrible for gout include beer, shellfish, meat.
if you havent gotten your euric acid levels tested, you should do so. if they are too high, you can damage your kidneys.
Eating cherries daily is supposedly a good natural remedy. my dad swears by it, unfortunately im allergic to a shitload of fruit, including cherries. also drink tons of water.
foods that are horrible for gout include beer, shellfish, meat.
if you havent gotten your euric acid levels tested, you should do so. if they are too high, you can damage your kidneys.
all good info here....all kinds of medical situations can be found in ask.com....i often run across things i dont know or meds i dont know, i can look it up as i am talking to a patient. awesome search engine. search for your gout and you will find all u need. sorry to hear about the pain.
