In simple terms, gout can be described as arthritis at its most painful. Many doctors find it difficult to diagnose gout, because the symptoms of this particular condition can often be very similar to others. Some of the signs of gout include arthritis usually in one joint, hyperuricemia and uric acid crystals appearing in the joint fluid. Here are some pointers on gout medication to help you overcome this illness.
The main aim of any kind of therapy for acute gout is to deal with the high intensity pain and joint inflammation that the patient experiences. Gout medication for acute gout includes:
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) including Indomethacin (Indocin), a ketoprofen and oxaprozin such as Orudis and Daypro respectively, a diclofenac, ibuprofen etodolac, naproxen or sunlidac such as Voltaren, Motrin, Lodine, Naprelan and Clinoril respectively are the most preferred among the medical fraternity today. This type of gout medication is usually taken three or four times every day as long as the patient shows symptoms of the disease.
• Colchicine usually works the best to treat gout pain. However the flipside to this kind of gout medication is that it usually has many side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps. As a result, it is prescribed as the second option for those patients who do not respond to the NSAID gout medication.
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone and triamcinolone, are effective, but have to be injected directly into the affected areas for local pain relief. This kind of gout medication is used as a last resort in treating acute gout, only for those people who do not respond to the first two lines of treatment.
Chronic gout on the other hand requires a totally different approach. It requires gout medication that decreases the levels of uric acid in the body.
Some of these medications are:
• Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors, the most common of which is allopurinol, is a gout medication which is usually used for patients who are overproducers of uric acid.
• Uricosuric Agents, including probenecid and sulfinpyrazone aid the kidneys to dispose of the excessive uric acid produced by the body.
Apart from these treatments, some alternative remedies can also help in treating gout. For example, ankle swelling due to gout can be effectively decreased by applying cold compresses and by keeping the ankle elevated. It is necessary to prevent the gout from flaring up, so it is important to stop joint movements.
Rhododendron as a Homeopathic agent has been proven to be very effective as gout medication for excessive pain. Naturally occurring herbs can also be used as effective gout medication. Devil’s Claw, is actually well known for its anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties, whereas Yucca, a blood purifying agent, also helps gout patients by detoxifying the body. Coffee is another potent gout medication for pain relief.
Lastly, if you want to be free from gout pain, you must also take care of your nutritional intake, apart from the gout medication that you take. Stay away from protein-rich foods, bulk up on cherries and Vitamin C-rich food and you will soon have a gout-free life!