Gout is a very painful condition that has been characterized as a type of arthritis. The pain can flare up in different joints, but typically affects the joint of one of your big toes. Caused by uric acid buildup, the inflammation and swelling can become quite unbearable for some. Historically, gout affected upper class European men who had access to wine and lots of rich meats. The condition has become more "democratic."

Allopathic Remedies

Your doctor may suggest you take one or more of the available prescription and non-prescription medicines to control your symptoms. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can be effective and rarely produce undesirable side effects. During a bad flare-up, your doctor may have you take more than the labeled dosage for a time, until your symptoms are under control. Then you may maintain a daily regimen of the drug to keep the inflammation at bay. If neither of these works for you, prescription colchicine might. Also an NSAID, this powerful anti-inflammatory is not always well tolerated. In other words, the side effects (e.g. nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) can become so bothersome the patient cannot continue taking it. Still, it is worth a try when you are in pain. Slightly less bothersome for some, especially if only used for short periods of time, corticosteroids like cortisone may be an option. These reduce swelling and inflammation fairly well. The side effects over the long haul include bone thinning and decreased infection resistance. NSAIDs and corticosteroids may provide some relief from the swelling and soreness, but they do not address the cause at all. MayoClinic.com lists two other groups of drugs that deal with the uric acid problem in different ways. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors like allopurinol and febuxostat decrease the amount of uric acid your body produces. You and your doctor can weigh the benefit against the possible side effects of reduced liver function and reduced blood counts. The other group is probenicid, which helps your kidneys to filter uric acid better. This means you will have more uric acid in your urine, which could lead to kidney stones. Another possible side effect is a rash.

Home Remedies

Prevention really can be the best cure in the case of gout. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes have been shown to improve the condition and prevent flare-ups. These types of treatments usually do not come with side effects, other than possibly weight loss and better overall health. The following recommendations come from PodiatryChannel.com. Since gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid, drink at least 2 qts. of water each day to keep your kidneys filtering out any excess. Change your diet to avoid organ meats, shellfish, mackerel, sardines, red wine and brewer's yeast (beer). Lower your overall meat intake to a couple of 3-oz. servings a day, but increase your vegetable and fruit intake. Cherries, blackberries and other dark berries especially seem to lower uric acid levels according to both MayoClinic.com and PodiatryChannel.com. Some supplements to try: quercitin, bromelaine, flaxseed oil and vitamin E.

Source:

Gout, Natural Medicine

Gout, Treatments and Drugs