How is gout treated?

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What is gout

Sharp severe pain piercing the joint of the thumb, redness, swelling, "burning" skin - this is gout. Most often, the joint of the big toe suffers from it - one or both at once. But the disease is not limited only to the foot. This form of arthritis can affect absolutely any joint in your body.

In this article You will find detailed information on what gout is, where it comes from, how to treat it and what to do to prevent it. Below we will consider only the last two points.

How to treat gout

First, you need to accurately diagnose. It is difficult to confuse gout with another disease, but full stop in the question "Doctor, what's wrong with me?" should be given only by a physician, surgeon or rheumatologist.

You may need to do more research:

• Take a blood test to find out the level of uric acid and creatinine, a protein that is a marker of kidney function.
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• Get an X-ray of the joint to rule out other causes of inflammation, such as trauma.
• Do an ultrasound scan to look for uric acid crystals in the joint.
• Make an analysis of the synovial fluid of the joint to determine all the same crystals of uric acid.

The necessary tests will again be prescribed by the doctor. If gout is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe medications. They fall into two categories:

• Drugs that relieve pain and prevent future attacks. These include both over-the-counter pain relievers (such as ibuprofen) and more serious prescription options. And also corticosteroids - in the form of tablets or injections.
• Drugs that prevent complications from gout. Some of them block the production of uric acid in the body, while others improve kidney function.

Medication is the most effective way to treat acute gout and prevent it from becoming chronic. But to make drug therapy more effective, it is necessary to complement it with lifestyle changes. By the way, they are also the prevention of this type of arthritis.

What to do to avoid getting sick

1. Eat a healthy diet. Limit the consumption of foods high in purines: meat (especially red), offal, semi-finished products (sausages, sausages), smoked meats. Don't overuse alcohol and sweetened soda.
2. Drink plenty of water. The fluid helps the body flush out excess uric acid.
3. Move more and exercise regularly. This is essential to maintain a healthy weight. Just don't overdo it. Physical overload or a diet too strict can be harmful, as it also forces the body to produce more uric acid.
4. Eat low-fat dairy products. This sour milk reduces the risk of gout, which means it can serve as an alternative to meat in terms of obtaining protein.