| Gout is mainly a condition connected to arthritis which | | | | immediately help diminish the symptoms. |
| occurs when uric acid crystals amass in certain joints. | | | | 2. Colchicine - this is another medicine prescribed to |
| Gout usually affects the large toe, but it may also | | | | alleviate symptoms of gout. It is helpful in preventing |
| appear in other joints such as the ones in the foot, | | | | further gout attacks. Colchicine may either be taken |
| hand, ankle, knee, wrist, hand and elbow. The | | | | in small amounts regularly for some months or in large |
| symptoms of gout can cause so much discomfort | | | | dosages over a much shorter period for acute |
| and even unbearable pain, and thus adequate | | | | attacks. Colchicine works best when taken in |
| treatment is needed to manage the pains and | | | | conjunction with the other facets of gout treatment. |
| discomforts caused by gout. | | | | 3. Corticosteroids - patients who are not able to take |
| Gout is caused when people's uric acid levels go | | | | colchicines or NSAIDs are prescribed |
| above normal due to the breaking down of waste | | | | adrenocorticotropic hormones like predisnone, to |
| products called purines. Normally, uric acid can easily | | | | alleviate the symptoms of acute out. These |
| be dissolved into the blood and then filtered by the | | | | hormones are administered through intramuscular |
| kidneys to be passed out through urine. But in some | | | | injections starting doses of 20 to 40mg during the |
| cases uric acid solidifies in the form of crystals and | | | | first onset of gout and then tapering off for |
| then accumulating in joints and tissues. This causes | | | | subsequent treatments. |
| severe pains, inflammation, tenderness, warmness, | | | | 4. Allupurinol - this is most popularly known as the |
| and redness. | | | | brand Zylprim and is prescribed to lower uric acid |
| Gout Treatment | | | | levels by controlling the system that creates the |
| The treatment of gout aims to stop the attack of | | | | substance in the body. This is more helpful for |
| gouts, relieve the pain and the inflammation it causes, | | | | preventing gout, instead of treating attacks. |
| avoiding further attacks, and preventing complications | | | | 5. Probenecid - sold as Probalan or Benemid, this is |
| such as the formation of kidney stones, tophi and | | | | usually prescribed for gouty arthritis and chronic gout. |
| the destruction of joints. The usual course of | | | | It is also helpful in preventing gout attacks rather |
| treatment involves altering the diet, providing | | | | than treating actually occurrences. The medicine helps |
| medication to alleviate pain, prescribing medicine to | | | | the kidneys eliminate more uric acid out of the body. |
| manage inflammation, and finally, dispensing | | | | 6. Colbenemid - sold as Proben-C or Col-Probenecid, |
| medication to lower the uric acid level. Normally, the | | | | this medicine treats gout direcly and also lowers uric |
| treatment can be administered without much | | | | acid. This drug contains Colchicine and Probenecid. |
| complication, but the process may be more difficult if | | | | 7. Sulfinpyrazone - sold as Anturane, this drug also |
| the patient has other conditions that can be affected | | | | lowers uric acid levels in the blood and is thus a |
| by gout. | | | | preventive treatment for gouty arthritis. |
| Dietary Treatment | | | | 8. Losartan - sold as Hyzaar and Cozzar, this drug |
| Gout treatment normally begins with alteration of the | | | | also helps lower uric acid levels, although it is not |
| diet. Purine rich foods are eliminated as fluid intake is | | | | solely a medicine for gout. It is more used as an |
| increased. Alcohol consumption is also decreased and | | | | antihypertensive drug and an antagonist for |
| weight loss is recommended to prevent gout attacks | | | | angiotensin II receptor. |
| from worsening. But dietary treatment is usually not | | | | 9. Analgesics - the levels of pain and discomfort |
| enough to treat gout, other steps are needed for full | | | | brought about by gout varies from patient to patient |
| treatment of the disease. | | | | and according to the gravity of the disease. |
| Medical Treatment | | | | Analgesics are also used to manage fevers that may |
| There are many medications usually prescribed for | | | | accompany gout attacks. |
| gout treatment. Here are some of them: | | | | Gout can cause so many inconveniences in one's life |
| 1. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs) - | | | | and it is thus important to administer proper |
| these drugs, particularly indomethacin, are usually first | | | | treatment right away. Of course, as it is often said, |
| prescribed to reduce the symptoms of gout, | | | | prevention is better than cure and it is thus important |
| particularly pain and inflammation. Normally, maximum | | | | to decrease chances of gout attacks by maintaining |
| dosages of NSAIDs are used for 48 hours to | | | | a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. |