Feeling pain around the joints and sudden attacks of swelling and a radiating flare up, these are the two things that anyone suffering from gout has to endure. It is the anticipation of the attacks of pain that are almost as bad as the pain itself. Your body is constantly dropping hints. First, there is the tingling, maybe itching as well. This is followed by the outbursts of pain. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused due to the formation of microcrystals around the joint. Due to the severity of the pain in patients, it can become increasingly difficult to deal with the problem.
Treatment at Home
Knowing how to handle the excruciatingly intense attacks while at home is one of the crucial aspects of the treatment of gout. The medication prescribed by the doctor without a doubt is the best way forward with gout treatment. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are the ones that are the most effective in handling the outburst of pain attacks at home.
Gout treatment is essentially based on a combination of medication and changes to your lifestyle. The primary consideration when it comes to dietary requirements is food that brings down the uric acid levels in your bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates, fats, and lean proteins are what you must be consuming on a daily basis to keep the ongoing battle with this medical condition successful. More fruits, green and leafy vegetables, and whole grains are a rich source of these complex carbs. Augment this diet by staying hydrated with measured amounts of water according to the requirements of your body to help mitigate the effects of gout.
A great approach is to consume moderate portions of these foods and get your body to adapt to the basic components of the diet. While a diet that is custom made for gout may not be a cure, it certainly goes a long way in reducing the frequency of gout attacks. The diet also helps preserve affected joints in the body.
Medications to Treat Gout
The main types of drugs that are prescribed for gout patients are Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), corticosteroids, and of course Colchicine. NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed medication owing to their fast-acting effect. Nothing short of immediate relief is tolerable during the onset of the pain. This is where NSAID medications outshine their counterparts. From easily available options such as Ibuprofen to Indomethacin or Celecoxib medications, there are a variety of options your doctor can recommend based on the state of your health and medical history.
Corticosteroids also most commonly known as steroid-based medications are prescribed to patients whose body does not tolerate NSAIDs or Colchicine. More often than not, these classes of medication are the only ones that are available for patients whose body type does not accept NSAIDs.
Colchicine is as effective as NSAIDs in the way they provide relief to patients during pain attacks. The biggest downside to the administration of Colchicine is side effects. A mistake in the dosage of the medication may introduce unpleasant side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and weakness.
Natural Gout Treatment
Gout can be treated with naturally available food items effectively. Slowly but surely, these items tend to reduce the intensity of the pain that is a part of the medical condition. Some of the most widely recommended natural remedies are as follows:-
- Fish Oil: Loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, (the good kind of fat) it has the natural tendency to reduce inflammation at the joints. Fish oil has been effective at reducing the risk of gout as well.
- Nettles: One of the most effective herbal remedies for gout out there, nettles are a phytonutrient. Using it as a supplement drink is going to be effective at reducing the frequency and intensity of pains.
- Black Cherry Juice: Cherry extract has quite the reputation of treating arthritis. Its benefits can be realized with gout treatment as well. It greatly reduces the build-up of uric acid in the body while facilitating faster recovery at the same time.
- Celery: Celery is rich in antioxidants. It is also loaded with compounds like caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and phenolic acid. Antioxidants naturally combat inflammation which is why you should consume celery regularly. Celery juice is a great way of including it in your diet.
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