The advantages and disadvantages of using gout medication

Gout is caused by the proliferation of uric acid in the body, mainly in men either approaching or reaching middle age through the 60s (though it’s possible at any age). This uric acid comes from the body’s natural breakdown of purines, though pain sets in when these purines are left in the body and not dispelled naturally through the urine. The purines often settle as crystals in any number of the major joints of the body.

Nearly 80 percent of people who first have symptoms of gout generally feel a burning and excruciating pain in the big toe or one of the major joints in the body, such as the ankle, heel, instep, knee, wrist, elbow, fingers, hand, and even spine. With over 1.5 million natural cure articles available, it’s hard to recognize which is the real deal and which are hoaxes or simple placebo reproductions.

There are three aspects to the medication treatment of gout. First, pain relievers or other more potent analgesics are used to manage pain. Secondly, anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS), and corticosteroids are used to decrease joint inflammation. Given in short courses, they are powerful anti-inflammatory agents for treating acute gout. They can be administered orally or injected directly into the inflamed joint. Corticosteroids can be prescribed to patients who have accompanying kidney, liver or gastrointestinal problems. Long-term chronic use of corticosteroids is discouraged, though, because of serious long-term side effects. Common side effects of NSAIDS include irritation of the gastrointestinal system, ulceration of the stomach and intestines, and even intestinal bleeding. Patients who have a history of allergy to aspirin or nasal polyps should avoid NSAIDS because of the risk of an intense allergic (anaphylactic) reaction.

In addition to medications for acute gout attacks, other drugs can be taken over prolonged periods to lower blood uric acid levels. Lowering blood uric acid levels reduces the risk of recurrent attacks of arthritis, kidney stones, and kidney disease, and also dissolves hard tophi deposits. These medicines are generally not started until after the inflammation from acute gouty arthritis has subsided because they can worsen the attack. If they are already being taken prior to the attack, they are continued and only adjusted after the attack has resolved. Since many patients with elevated blood uric acid levels may not develop gouty attacks or kidney stones, the decision for prolonged treatment with uric acid-lowering drugs should be individualized.

Again, uric acid-lowering medications are generally avoided in patients who are having acute attacks of gout (unless they are already taking them). For unknown reasons, these medications, when started during an acute attack, actually can worsen the acute inflammation. Therefore, uric acid-lowering drugs are usually instituted only after complete resolution of the acute arthritis attacks.

Finally, medications are considered for managing the underlying metabolic derangement that causes hyperuricemia and gout. This means treating the elevated levels of uric acid in the blood with medications that reduce these levels.
Resting and elevating the inflamed joint are simple home remedies which can alleviate the symptoms of acute gout. Ice pack applications can be helpful to reduce pain and decrease inflammation.

According to professional Diet Reviews, the most effective way to gain fast and lasting gout relief is through a specific low-purine diet. Unconventional treatments recommend natural herbs. Ever thought about using them? Find a guide on the Internet!

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