Gout is characterized by a severe and sudden attack of pain coupled with swelling, redness, and tenderness of joints, most often at the base of the big toe. It is a complex form of arthritis due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, which leads to inflammation. This usually happens when the blood has high amounts of uric acid, produced as a by-product of breaking down purines. So, people who suffer from this condition are advised to avoid foods containing purines. In this article, we will investigate gout medication and remedies.
Different Gout Medications
The primary focus of gout treatment is to reduce the pain and swelling to reduce the discomfort. Before starting medication, you should discuss with the physician, as some medicines are not safe for those who have pre-existing medical conditions like kidney diseases. Listed below are some of the medicines commonly used for treating gout and its symptoms.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs are commonly used to reduce pain and inflammations, and some of the readily available over the counter ones are naproxen sodium and ibuprofen. But the NSAIDs prescribed by physicians are stronger like celecoxib and indomethacin. However, these are not safe for long-term consumption because they can cause kidney issues, hence they are not prescribed for those who have renal problems.
Colchicine: Physicians might prescribe colchicine if you suffer from a gout attack, and in cases of chronic gout, patients are advised to take low doses of it daily.
Corticosteroids: Steroids or corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce pain and swelling due to gout. They are usually given if you cannot take colchicine or NSAIDs. However, steroid-based medicines cannot be used by those who have pre-existing medical conditions. For instance, it can cause steroid-induced glaucoma in some people. So, it is important to discuss with your physician before using corticosteroids for pain and inflammation due to gout.
Allopurinol: This medicine is for those people whose body makes too much uric acid and is commonly used for treating chronic gout.
Pegloticase: This medicine is administered intravenously at the doctor’s office. The procedure is an infusion. Pegloticase is used for treating chronic gout because it brings down blood uric acid faster than other gout medicines. Besides, it is administered every two weeks and is used in cases where regular gout medicines do not work.
Gout Remedies At Home
Use Cold: You can apply cold packs or compresses at the joint to reduce inflammation and to soothe the ache.
Drink Water: Drinking plenty of water is usually recommended to those suffering from gout because dehydration can raise blood uric acid levels.
Take Rest: Taking rest helps to reduce the pain due to the inflamed joint in gout.
These are some of the medications and home remedies used for managing the symptoms of gout.
