Gout is a form of arthritis that is caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints causing inflammation and pain. Gout attacks often occur unexpectedly and can be extremely painful and learning the ways to manage the pain is important.
What Causes Gout?
Purines are natural substances found in our body, and during their breakdown process uric acid is released. Certain foods like organ meats and seafood, and alcoholic beverages like beer and drinks containing fruit sugar also contain purines.
The uric acid that is produced by the breakdown of purines usually dissolves in the bloodstream and the kidney excretes it through urine. Sometimes our body will produce excess levels of uric acid or kidneys fail to excrete all the excess uric acid, which leads to an increased level of uric acid in our body.
The uric acid then crystallizes and the needle like crystals accumulates in the joints and tissues causing inflammation and pain.
Treating Gout Flares
The pain experienced during a gout flare is severe and it is too tough to endure it for longer periods. Several medications are available for gout but if you are going through a gout flare, the top priority is for pain management. Some of the ways to manage gout flare are:
- Prefer taking medicines like colchine, NSAIDS and steroids but only after getting the advice of your doctor. Medicines like NSAIDS are not suggested for patients with kidney related diseases.
- Make sure you keep your body hydrated and if you have fluid restriction because of a kidney disease, you have to discuss your doctor about managing the fluid level and gout flare.
- Avoid foods that are high in purine and consumption of alcohol.
- Do not give pressure to your joints. If your feet or toes are affected, try walking with a cane.
- To keep your joint cool, you can keep an icepack and it is a pain management remedy you can use during a gout attack.
- The pain during a gout attack is severe in most of the cases and this might sometimes lead to mental stress. Practicing techniques like meditation can help in managing the pain-induced stress.
The duration and the frequency of gout attacks vary in people and if the pain of the attack does not get better even after 48 hours, get the help of your doctor. Treatments are not just available to treat gout attacks but to prevent its occurrence as well and taking it is important because increased frequency of gout attacks increases the probability of future attacks.