Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Using medications
• Part 2 of 2: Adjusting your diet
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have sudden severe joint pain and persistent discomfort, you may have a form of arthritis called gout. Gout can be caused by a large amount of uric acid. Uric acid, which consists of crystals, is usually filtered by your kidneys and excreted along with your urine. However, if you have a lot of uric acid in your body, crystals can form that cause conditions like gout.That's why it's important to lower the amount of uric acid and let these uric acid crystals dissolve. You can do this by taking medication, changing your diet and exercising. Always talk to your doctor before changing your diet and starting to take any medications.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Using medications

1. Know the risk factors for gout. If you have gout, a form of arthritis caused by large amounts of uric acid crystals, crystals can form in the fluid around your joints. Older men are more likely to develop gout, but it can affect anyone. The true cause of gout is not known, but some risk factors include eating a lot of meat and fish, obesity, chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of gout and taking certain medications.
   • Gout causes inflammation and pain in the joints (usually at night and in the big toe), as well as red, swollen, warm and tender joints. The discomfort lasts for several days to weeks after the attack and can progress to chronic gout, reducing your ability to move your joints.
2. See your doctor for an examination. Talk to your doctor about taking prescription medications if you have chronic gout or frequent painful gout attacks. Your doctor can do several tests and tests to diagnose gout, including a blood test to determine the amount of uric acid, a synovial fluid test (which involves drawing fluid from your joint with a needle), and an ultrasound or CT scan to detect uric acid crystals. Based on the results of these tests, your doctor will determine whether it is necessary to start taking medications and which medications are best for you.
   • Your doctor can prescribe drugs such as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, uricosurics, and other less commonly used drugs such as colchicine, which is used for acute gout attacks.
3. Take xanthine oxidase inhibitors. These drugs cause your body to make less uric acid, so you have less uric acid in your blood. Your doctor will likely prescribe these medications as the first treatment for chronic gout. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors include allopurinol (including Zyloric and Acepurin) and febuxostat (Adenuric). These drugs may increase gout attacks at first, but will eventually prevent them.
   • Side effects of allopurinol include diarrhea, drowsiness, rash and low blood counts. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water with a capacity of 250 ml every day when using allopurinol.
   • Side effects of febuxostat include rash, nausea, joint pain and decreased liver function.
4. Try uricosurics. These types of drugs cause you to get rid of more uric acid in your urine. Uricosurics prevent your body from reabsorbing uric acid crystals into your blood, so you have less uric acid in your blood. Benzbromaron (Desuric) is a prescription uricosuric agent. Take the correct dose. You can find it on the sticker of the pharmacy. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water when using this medication.
   • Side effects of benzbromarone include diarrhea, kidney stones, headache, rash and liver inflammation. To prevent kidney stones, it is important to drink at least 6 to 8 full glasses of water a day while taking benzbromarone.
5. Do not use certain medications. Some medications, such as thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide) and loop diuretics (such as furosemide or Lasix), should not be used because they can make the condition worse. Also, do not take low doses of aspirin and niacin as this can increase the amount of uric acid in your body as well.
   • Never stop taking any medications without talking to your doctor. In many cases there are alternatives available.

Part 2 of 2: Adjusting your diet

1. Provide a healthy and balanced diet. Try to eat healthy, high-fiber foods and lean proteins. Foods high in soluble fiber can help dissolve uric acid crystals. The fibers also help absorb the crystals so they are removed from your joints and kidneys. Also do not eat foods with saturated fats such as cheese, butter and margarine. Reduce your intake of sugar, including high fructose corn syrup and high-sugar soda. This can cause more gout attacks. Instead, try to eat the following:
   • Oatmeal
   • Spinach
   • Broccoli
   • Raspberries
   • Whole grain foods
   • Brown rice
   • Black beans
   • Cherries, as they can reduce your gout attacks. One study found that eating ten cherries a day protects people from gout attacks.
   • Low-fat or fat-free dairy
2. Avoid foods that can increase uric acid levels. Certain foods naturally contain substances called purines. These are converted by your body into uric acid. Studies have shown that eating foods high in purines can cause gout attacks within days. Avoid foods that are high in purines, including:
   • Meat: red meat and organ meats (liver, kidneys and sweetbreads)
   • Fish: tuna, lobster, shrimp, mussels, anchovies, herring, sardines, scallops, salmon, haddock and mackerel
3. Watch what you drink and stay hydrated. Drinking six to eight glasses of 250 ml water daily has been shown to help reduce gout attacks. You can usually drink other drinks to get the fluid you need, but it is best to stick to water. Also, drink less or no alcohol, as this may cause your body to absorb more uric acid. If you want to drink something other than water, opt for drinks that are low in sugar, high fructose corn syrup and caffeine. Sugar can increase the risk of gout and caffeine can dehydrate your body.
   • You can still drink a small amount of coffee (two or three cups a day). Some studies have shown that coffee can lower the amount of uric acid in the blood, but it has not been shown to reduce the number of gout attacks.
4. Increase your vitamin C intake. Some studies have shown that vitamin C can lower the amount of uric acid in the blood, but it has not been shown to reduce the number of gout attacks. Vitamin C is thought to help your kidneys secrete uric acid. Consider taking 500 mg of vitamin C daily after consulting your doctor. If you'd rather get more vitamin C from eating certain foods, try the following:
   • Fruits: melon, citrus, kiwis, mangoes, papayas, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and watermelon
   • Vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green and red peppers, spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tomatoes, and winter squash
   • Breakfast cereals enriched with vitamin C.
5. Sport. Try to exercise for at least half an hour every day. One study found that exercising for 150 minutes a week reduces uric acid levels. Exercise can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and help you lose weight. Losing weight is associated with a lower amount of uric acid in the body.
   • Even shorter exercise is associated with a slightly lower amount of uric acid. For example, if you can't jog for 30 minutes, at least try to walk briskly for 15 minutes.

Tips

• The amount of uric acid is not always directly related to gout and how much you suffer from it. Some people have a lot of uric acid in their body and do not suffer from gout, while other people do have gout and have a normal amount of uric acid in the body.
• There is no hard scientific evidence that popular home remedies and natural supplements like devil's claw can safely reduce gout.

Warnings

• Talk to your doctor before taking any new medications or changing your diet.