Gout is a form of arthritis that appears as a sudden, severe redness, pain and inflammation in your joints. While the joint of the big toe is the most commonly affected, it can occur anywhere in your body. Luckily, gout is treatable and with the right treatment you can also minimize the risk of it reoccurring.
Medicine
While there are alternative ways to treat gout, your doctor will most likely prescribe medicine for you. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve and others can help lower and control the pain and inflammation. If you are unable to take NSAIDs, your doctor may recommend a drug called Colchicine which controls gout. Unfortunately, Colchicine comes with many side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. If the pain is unbearable, your doctor may also prescribe steroids, a powerful medication that controls pain and inflammation, as a last line of defense. However, steroids also have many side effects such as limiting the response of your body's immune system.
Prevention
Though gout flare-ups are self-limiting, it is important to control your levels of uric acid and keep flare-ups from returning. Taking medicine such as Zyloprim or Aloprim reduces uric acid and lowers risk of gout. Dietary changes such as lowering the amount of purines you ingest helps fight gout. Limiting red meat and shellfish, avoiding alcohol and eating more dairy and complex carbohydrates is beneficial. Another key to controlling gout is controlling your weight and drinking a lot of fluids.
Alternative Treatments
According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies have found a correlation between drinking coffee and lower uric acid levels. Though there have not been studies to prove this correlation, coffee drinkers can continue to enjoy it without worrying about risks. While vitamin C may reduce uric acid levels in the blood, taking megadoses is actually harmful. It is important to talk to your doctor about the right level for you. Also, dark fruits like cherries and other berries may lower levels of uric acid. Once again, it is important to talk with your doctor about adding these foods to your diet as a way to cure gout.
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