Treating Gout

Article by Alvin Hopkinson

Gout is a type of arthritis that affects the joints, tendons, and other bodily tissue. In most cases, the condition is difficult to diagnose as it is often confused with fractures, breaks, or dislocations.

Upon diagnosis, however, the condition is extremely painful and must be treated properly to prevent future attacks. Treating gout may consist of drug therapy, changing an unhealthy life- style, and losing weight.

Initially, healthcare providers treat the disease with certain types of medications. The combination of gout medications are used to reduce the pain associated with acute attacks, reduce the duration of the attacks, and reduce the production of uric acid in order to avoid the formation of tophi or kidney stones.

This form of arthritis is often characterized as the "king of diseases" because it attacks intensely and suddenly. The attacks occur in the middle of the night with great pain. Gout suffers experience certain prominent symptoms when enduring a sudden attack.

The symptoms include swelling, stiffness, redness, warmth, and tenderness. Although most common in the joint of the big toe, it sometimes affects the fingers, wrists, foot, elbows, knees, and ankles. Consequently, the medications, such as anti- inflammatory and non- steroidal are used to treat these symptoms of acute gout attacks.

The medications that are initially prescribe by physicians are non- steroidal or anti- inflammatory (NSAIDs) over-the-counter drugs. These drugs may be Aleve, Advil, Ibuprofen, or Motrin. More powerful NSAIDs are available by prescription only.

Prescription drugs consist of Colchicine, steroids, and joint injections. Unfortunately, each of these prescription drugs have annoying side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bone thinning, poor wound healing, or even decreased ability to stave off infection.

In addition to drug therapy, treating gout is accomplished through a number of options such as natural treatments and dietary supplements. Herbal remedies are very effective for lowering the amount of uric acid in the body. More so, these remedies often reduce the swelling and pain caused by gout.

Physicians might recommend devil's claw, gravel root, turmeric and nettle root. A selection of vitamins and minerals will also help relieve gout symptoms. Vitamin C, B Complex Vitamins and Folic acid are all used to eliminate acid from the bloodstream as well as prevent future gout attacks.

It is beneficial to utilize a treatment option that best suits you and alleviates the pain and suffering that results from the development of gout. Yet, before you experiment with any type of natural treatment, it is recommended that you consult your primary physician.

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