Gout Treatment & Medications

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Specific treatment of gout varies based on co-existing medical conditions and other medications you are taking. Gout treatment involves managing the flare up and treating the underlying problem to prevent future episodes. The initial treatment goal is to reduce pain and inflammation quickly and safely. A diet that avoids foods high in purine, high-fructose drinks, and alcohol can lessen your long-term risks. If you use medicines like diuretics, stopping that use can help prevent gout as well.

Yes, high uric acid is dangerous for health as its over production leads to gout and many other complications. Our kidneys help in elimination of excess uric acid from the body but when kidneys fail to remove, it creates kidney stones. Excess production of uric acid in the blood stream causes gout. Hyperuricemia can also lead to diarrhea, joints inflammation, nausea, gastrointestinal disorders etc. Gout usually develops after a number of years of buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints and surrounding tissue. You probably won't know that you have an elevated uric acid level in your blood until you have had your first gout attack.

Informed Health Links

But the type of crystals of pseudogout is calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate . These are quite different under the microscope compared to uric acid crystals. Scientists have found a clear link between body weight and uric acid level. The higher a person's body mass index , the higher the chance of developing gout.

Eating dairy products, vitamin C, coffee, and cherries may help prevent gout attacks, as does losing weight. Gout may be secondary to sleep apnea via the release of purines from oxygen-starved cells. It may take several months or longer before you feel the full benefit of allopurinol. Allopurinol may increase the number of gout attacks during the first few months that you take it, although it will eventually prevent attacks. Your doctor may prescribe another medication such as colchicine to prevent gout attacks for the first few months you take allopurinol.

How To Treat Gout

If you must take them, however, you'll probably have to do so for the rest of your life in order to prevent future problems. Colchicine has been used to treat gout for over 2,400 years. It usually is taken by mouth in several small doses every day. It works best if taken during the first two days of an attack. When taken by mouth, colchicine can cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. If side effects occur, stop taking the drug and notify your doctor.

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As a result, the risk of developing gout in many countries is rising because of the rising incidence of obesity. Children who are obese may have an increased risk of developing gout as adults. Tophi are more likely to appear early in the course of the disease in older people. In older people, women are at higher risk of developing tophi than men.

When Should Patients Seek Treatment For Gout?

Avoid eating red meats, internal organs, yeast, shellfish, and oily fish because these increase the risk for gout. Gout is treated by primary care doctors, including generalists, internists, and family medicine physicians. Rheumatologists have a special interest in diagnosing and managing gout. Diets rich in red meats, internal organs, yeast, shellfish, and oily fish increase the risk for gout. Post-pubertal males are at increased risk for gout compared with women.

How Hyperuricemia Develops

Fibre helps to lower the blood sugar level and prevent high uric acid. Sugary foods and drinks rich in fructose and glucose can cause a high level of uric acid. A high level of uric acid can cause various dangerous diseases.

People with insufficient kidney function are at increased risk for gout. Uric acid is generated as we metabolize the food we eat and as the body's tissues are broken down during normal cell turnover. Carrots and cucumber are great for health if you have high uric acid content in the body.