It is sometimes difficult to work and focus on your daily activities if you are constantly experiencing gout inflammation and gout pain. Some of these symptoms can last for a few days, while others extend up to even a few weeks. In most cases, the worst of the pain comes in within the first two days.
Your first course of action would be to talk to your physician, but there are a few things that you can do to reduce the pain and ease your gout symptoms:
Take A NSAID
Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can help you to better manage the pain, and relieve the gout pain. Make sure to avoid the aspirin, as these contain acetylsalicylic acid- this can make your gout pain worsen. Keep in mind that NSAIDs have side effects attached to it, such as an increase in blood pressure.
Apply Ice To The Joints
Cold therapy can do plenty to reduce the pressure and help in restricting blood flow and fight inflammation in the process. It helps to dull the pain receptors. You can apply the ice pack for around 10-20 minutes at a time.
Keep The Joint High
By means of propping up the affected joint, you can reduce the pressure and reduce the inflammation. If it is your big toe that is affected—as in the case for more than 50% of the reported gout cases—then propping up by means of placing a pillow or a footstool can help you plenty in reducing the pain.
Stay Hydrated
You need to flush the uric acid that is creating the incisive needles at the joints. For your kidney to be able to flush it out of your system, you must aim to drink up to 8 glasses of water, or 2 liters a day. keep a mile away from carbonated sugary drinks and alcohol, especially beer. All of these worsen the situation and make the gout pain worse.
Take Prescription Drugs
If you have had a gout attack before then your physician would have prescribed drugs to treat the attack. Prescription drugs like Colchicine and Prednisolone work well in reducing the pain- although there are potential side effects to using them.
Opioid painkillers are not recommended when it comes to treating pain caused by gout.
