This disease has been known for a long time. We will talk about gout, called in classical literature nothing more than “the disease of aristocrats.” Why was she called that? But because the main cause of the disease is excess in food and drinks, the abundance of which the upper strata of society did not deny themselves. The symptoms of the disease were listed by the ancient Greek healer Hippocrates, who also described how to treat gout.
“Disease of the aristocrats” is more common in developed countries
Gout still occurs today, mainly in developed countries.
Doctors explain this by the availability of fatty meat and fish (sources of purines), as well as excessive alcohol consumption.
Men most often get sick after forty; in women, the disease can manifest itself after menopause. Therefore, the question of what gout is and how to treat it is still relevant today.
Gout is an inflammatory joint disease caused by a metabolic disorder, namely, excess uric acid. Crystallizing, uric acid settles in the joints of the toes (less often the hands), resulting in inflammation of the joint, accompanied by pain.
Uric acid crystals cause inflammation and pain
In official medicine, the disease is called gouty arthritis, the treatment of which depends on the stage of the disease: acute or chronic. The acute form is usually asymptomatic and manifests itself only at the time of exacerbation with acute pain and fever.
In the chronic form, deformation of the joints is observed, not strong but constant pain is present.
There are several methods of treating gouty arthritis - this includes drug treatment of gout, and the use of physiotherapeutic procedures, and diet. But the main goal of any of them is to reduce uric acid in the blood, which should stop the development of the disease.
An attack of acute gout develops gradually, resulting in increasing pain that becomes unbearable within a few hours. The tissues around the joint swell, the skin turns red and tense, and the temperature rises. Naturally, the main question that interests a patient during an exacerbation of gout is how to relieve an attack?
First aid for gout, namely, during its exacerbation, is to ensure complete rest of the affected joint. You can apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the sore spot for a few minutes. In some cases, on the contrary, “dry heat” helps relieve the patient’s condition. You can apply a compress from a solution of Dimexide with novocaine; in the early stages this is an effective remedy for gout.
If gout worsens, you should start taking NSAIDs as soon as possible.
To relieve pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed, such as Diclofenac, Naproxen, Indomethacin.
It is important to know: the sooner you start taking NSAIDs during a gout attack, the sooner you can relieve the pain.
The drugs are used in injection or tablet form; for gout attacks, treatment ointments will not give the expected effect.
In addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, an effective gout medicine, Colchicine, will help reduce pain. Colchicine is a herbal preparation, an alkaloid obtained from the rhizomes of the autumn crocus, and is toxic in large doses - the daily dose should not exceed 6-8 mg. Colchicine is not a pain reliever like an NSAID. Its task is to block the processes that cause swelling, inflammation and other symptoms of gout, thereby improving the patient's condition.
For more information about the drug, watch the video:
If Colchicine and NSAIDs are powerless, the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs - glucocorticoids in the form of injections. For example, Methylprednisolone or Betamethasone are effective drugs for gout from this group of medications that can quickly relieve inflammation in the joint capsule and reduce pain.
Antibiotics for gout are not effective, since the etiology of the disease is non-infectious.
It should be understood that stopping an acute attack is not a solution to the problem. It is necessary to consult a specialist to find out how to treat an exacerbation of gout after pain relief. After all, the drugs that are used between attacks and during relapse have differences.
Treatment for gout between attacks aims to lower the level of uric acid in the blood and reduce inflammation and swelling near the affected joint.
After the acute pain has been relieved, drugs that are gentler on the digestive system are used, painkillers for gout in the legs - Meloxicam, Nimesulide. They help stop inflammation in the joint capsule.
The herbal gout ointment Fullflex has received a lot of positive feedback, the instructions for use of which describe the product as anti-inflammatory and decongestant. And since the composition of the ointment is completely natural, there are no contraindications to its use, except perhaps an allergic reaction to the components of the drug. Fullflex is also available in capsule form.
To achieve an effective outcome, treatment for gout must be comprehensive and consist of the following points:
When diagnosed with chronic foot gout, symptoms and treatment differ from the acute stage of this disease. The affected joints become deformed, curved, bone growths appear on them, and as a result the joint loses mobility.
The pain syndrome in the chronic stage is not pronounced, but is permanent.
With a long course of the disease, specific signs of gout form in the soft tissues of the body - tophi, which are accumulations of uric acid crystals.
In the chronic form of gout, tophi are formed
The “favorite” places for gouty nodules are the ears, subcutaneous tissue of the elbows, forearms, hands, feet, and legs.
Tophi themselves do not hurt, but cause acute pain when moving. Often during relapses, the nodules self-open, revealing a white pasty substance - an accumulation of crystals.
If tophi are larger than 3 cm, they are removed surgically.
The main direction in the treatment of chronic gout is to reduce the formation of uric acid; adherence to an antipurine diet is mandatory.
Before treating gout on the legs with medications, you need to analyze your diet and avoid foods that increase uric acid levels. This is the only way to hope for a positive outcome of treatment, otherwise any drug for gout will be powerless.
These foods should be excluded from the diet:
It is necessary to limit salt intake and completely eliminate alcoholic beverages.
In modern medicine, the treatment of gout on the toe and other joints involves the use of physiotherapeutic procedures that have a positive effect on the condition of the affected organ.
For example, a procedure such as plasmapheresis is performed to cleanse the blood of metabolic products.
Electromagnetic influence is used to destroy salt deposits in joints.
In addition, physiotherapy includes the following procedures:
During the period of remission, physical therapy and massage are indicated. You can do the massage yourself, first lightly massaging the area around the affected area, moving on to the joint itself.
Self-massage should be done during the period of remission of the disease
The main goal of spa treatment of gouty arthritis is to lower the level of uric acid in the blood. It includes alkaline water therapy, mud therapy, balneotherapy. Comprehensive treatment of gout in sanatoriums at least a couple of times a year allows you to achieve stable remission.
Drinking treatment consists of taking mineral waters of hydrocarbonate or sulfate-bicarbonate composition. Water molecules are quickly absorbed, mobilize metabolic processes and are quickly eliminated from the body, providing the latter with a kind of washing. Alkalinization of the blood increases the solubility of uric acid and promotes its faster exit from the body.
Mud therapy in the treatment of gouty arthritis is used to improve blood circulation in the affected tissues; healing mud relieves inflammation and swelling.
With timely and regular use of mud procedures, it is possible to stop the process of joint deformation and restore its mobility. For the procedure, the mud is heated, applied to the sore spot, covered with cellophane and wrapped in a towel for half an hour, then washed off with warm water. Another method can be used - heated mud is placed in a plastic bag and a brush is placed there if there is gout on the hands. How to treat in this case? You should hold your hand in the bag for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wrap it in a warm towel for another half hour.
Mud therapy improves blood circulation in affected tissues and relieves swelling
In addition to mud therapy, the resort offers balneotherapy for patients with gouty arthritis. It involves taking hydrogen sulfide, radon, and sodium chloride baths. Balneotherapy improves blood microcirculation, thereby increasing the supply of nutrients to the tissues and synovium of the diseased joint. Under the influence of mineral baths, kidney function improves, urine formation increases, which in turn contributes to better excretion of uric acid salts.
In addition to mineral baths, baths and compresses with Bishofite are used. Bishofite is an active natural substance, a natural “brine” with a high content of calcium, sodium, iron, iodine, potassium and other trace elements. Procedures with Bishofite help relieve pain, inflammation and swelling.
The first question that a patient diagnosed with gout asks is whether this disease is curable.
The prognosis for gout with adequate treatment is relatively favorable, but the outcome of treatment largely depends on the patient himself.
And in order to successfully overcome this disease, you need not only to follow all the doctor’s prescriptions, you need to change your lifestyle (give up alcohol, smoking, eat right) and in this, of course, the support of the family and friends of the sick person is important.
Gout is a chronic disease in which uric acid salts are deposited in the joints. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of this disease. But it is possible to reduce periods of exacerbation and prolong the remission phase by following strict dietary rules.
The diet for gout is aimed at normalizing purine metabolism and reducing uric acid in the body. What is this diet? And how should a patient eat during periods of exacerbation and persistent remission?
Diet during exacerbation of gout and in the phase of stable remission requires adherence to a special diet. The patient should eat 4 times a day at regular intervals. Fasting and overeating are simply unacceptable, as they can lead to the development of new attacks and a sharp deterioration in well-being. If the patient is overweight, then it is necessary to get rid of it. But not abruptly, but gradually.
It is also recommended to drink plenty of fluids. During the phase of stable remission, at least two liters, during the period of exacerbation - at least three liters. At the same time, you can drink absolutely any liquid - teas, compotes, juices, jelly, mineral water, etc. It should be taken between meals, and not during meals.
The list of prohibited foods for gout is very long. And first of all, a patient with this disease must stop eating animal fats, not completely, but most of them. That is, the diet for gout on the legs excludes food:
A diet for gout during an exacerbation requires a complete abstinence from fish products in any form (boiled, baked, steamed), including caviar. And during the phase of stable remission, it is not recommended to eat salted and fried fish, as well as various canned foods, even those prepared at home.
A patient with gout should not include legumes in their diet, as they can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. These include:
For the same purpose, it is not recommended to add various spices to dishes, such as mustard, horseradish and pepper.
Although cheese is a dietary product, which is included in the list of permitted products in almost all therapeutic diets, it is prohibited to consume it if you have gout. This is especially true for salty and spicy varieties.
A diet for gout on the legs allows you to eat almost all fruits, with the exception of raspberries, grapes and figs. As for sweets, it is prohibited to eat cream cakes and pastries, as well as chocolate and chocolate candies and bars.
A person with gout is not recommended to drink strong tea, coffee and cocoa. Alcohol, including wine and wine-based drinks, is strictly prohibited.
During an exacerbation, it is recommended to follow a vegetarian diet. That is, you can eat various vegetable soups, fruit salads, dairy and fermented milk products, decoctions, etc.
During the period of stable remission, the consumption of dietary types of meat (turkey, chicken, rabbit) and some types of seafood (shrimp, squid) is allowed. It is allowed to eat low-fat fish, but only in boiled form.
The diet for gout recommends consuming low-fat cottage cheese during exacerbation and remission. You can eat it either in its pure form or prepare various dishes from it (for example, cheesecakes).
All types of cereals are also allowed. They can be prepared with either water or milk, but only diluted with plain water in a 1:1 ratio. Whole milk is prohibited for consumption. It can be drunk with caution only during the phase of stable remission and only after the approval of the attending physician.
When you have gout, you can eat almost anything, both boiled and raw, baked and fried. Radishes, spinach, celery, asparagus, cauliflower should be consumed in small quantities and only in the phase of stable remission.
Patients with gout are allowed to eat certain types of sweets. These are marshmallows, marshmallows, marmalade, caramels and jams. It is also allowed to eat all types of fruits and berries, as well as nuts and seeds. Menu for diet for gout on the legs.
You can eat any bread. You can prepare dishes and season salads with any vegetable oil. But it is best to use olive or flaxseed. You can eat vegetable oil, but in limited quantities. Dishes should be prepared with minimal addition of salt and other spices that improve the taste of the dishes.
A diet for gout allows the consumption of green tea, chicory, rosehip decoction, fruit and vegetable juices, fruit drinks, kvass, and jelly. Preference should be given to cucumber juice, as it helps remove purines from the body and makes the patient feel better even during an exacerbation.
Also very useful are fruit drinks made from cranberries and lingonberries, as well as alkaline mineral waters with a low gas content.
During an exacerbation, patients with gout are prescribed diet No. 6. It involves a complete rejection of meat and fish products, eating only cottage cheese and dairy products, as well as vegetables and fruits in their pure form. In the latter, it is recommended to arrange fasting days every 2 days until the disease subsides.
Per day, patients with gout during an exacerbation are allowed to consume:
As the patient’s health improves, they begin to add meat and fish products (cutlets, meatballs, soufflé, etc.) to the patient’s diet, but in small portions and steamed.
Breakfast: a plate of fruit salad with yogurt and honey, tea with milk, crackers.
Snack: a glass of milk or kefir.
Lunch: vegetable soup with vegetable oil and herbs.
Afternoon snack: potato cutlet, cream.
Dinner: boiled egg with cucumber.
Before bed: cottage cheese with yogurt.
Although gout is an incurable disease, it can be easily controlled by the person himself. If he follows all the doctor’s recommendations and adheres to the rules of the diet for gout, then he can forget about the existence of this disease for a long time.
Exacerbation of the disease occurred quite often and I decided to use this diet to strengthen my own health, especially since the products that made up this diet were quite ordinary. I started following this diet and the results were not long in coming. Exacerbations began to occur less frequently and my health improved. Thank you for this diet and wish you all good health!
I have been following this diet according to your recommendation for almost a month now. And I feel that the process has already begun: my health has improved, my mood is excellent, it’s as if I’ve been replaced! My husband and I stopped arguing over trifles and lost 6 kilograms! Thank you for the useful tips!
Good afternoon I have been following this diet according to your recommendation for almost a month now. And I feel that the result did not take long to wait: now my health has improved, my mood has become excellent, it’s as if I have been replaced! I stopped arguing with my husband, lost 6 kilograms, without active sports or physical exercise. Thank you for the useful tips!
I have been suffering from gout since last year, I am 36. Exacerbations occurred after fried foods and cooling the joints in cold water. I soon switched to this diet, but not right away (my doctor advised me not to change my diet suddenly, since attacks can occur even with a sharp decrease in purine levels, she advised me to monitor my blood composition and gradually switch to healthier foods). Now, thanks to this diet, I have improved my health and feel much better. Thank you for the useful tips!
I have been suffering from gout since last year, I am 36. Exacerbations occurred after fried foods and cooling the joints in cold water. I soon switched to this diet, but not right away (my doctor advised me not to change my diet suddenly, since attacks can occur even with a sharp decrease in purine levels, she advised me to monitor my blood composition and gradually switch to healthier foods). Now, thanks to this diet, I have improved my health and feel much better. Thank you for the useful tips!
Exacerbation of the disease occurred quite often and I decided to use the “diet for gout during an exacerbation” to strengthen my own health, especially since the products that made up this diet were quite ordinary. I started following this diet and the results were not long in coming. Exacerbations began to occur less frequently and my health improved. Thank you for this diet and wish you all good health!
Exacerbations of gout do not occur so often, but they are still very disturbing, so the doctor suggested me a special diet during the period of exacerbation. Usually, for breakfast I ate cottage cheese with green tea, for lunch I made myself an assortment of boiled vegetables, and for dinner I ate a vegetable salad. After some time, the attacks stopped appearing altogether. I am very glad that thanks to this diet everything has returned to normal.
Hi all! I have been suffering from gout for about two years now, and recently I noticed how my weight began to increase :((This is a disaster! I tried all sorts of methods, diets, but only exhausted my body... Among the diets, I tried the famous “Kremlin” and “ Drinking", but did not feel any special changes. Not long ago I came across this article. My eye was caught by the table of diet products for gout. I decided that it was worth a try, but I no longer hoped for results. What was my surprise when, later It took me two weeks to noticeably lose 4 kg. Usually, for such a result, I needed about a month, and even then the weight returned... Now this table is irreplaceable for me))) Thank you very much for such useful and life-saving information!
I never thought that I would have to go on a diet! But in this case, this is what the doctor ordered! A diet for gout is simply a balanced diet without harmful things: fatty, fried, sugary! The table of diet foods for gout is rich - everyone will choose the foods that they like. Personally, it was not at all difficult for me to give up cakes and broths. In a month I lost 5 kilograms without straining. Now I don’t even look at the scale: I eat vegetables, fruits, cottage cheese, meat and lose weight. Only coffee had to be replaced with chicory. An excellent diet, no exacerbation of joint pain - this is the main thing.
The disease came on somehow unnoticed until exacerbations began! And I am very emotional by nature, well, I think everything is lost! I haven’t heard enough advice, I haven’t tried it. In the end, I decided to try the diet, especially since this is not the first time for me) The diet for patients with gout was not easy for me, I really love fish! But what can you do for your health, especially since I started to feel much better!
The presented diet for gout is one of the most effective, I can say this from the experience of my grandmother, who suffers from this disease. I would especially like to pay attention to smoked meats; they are strictly not recommended to be consumed.
My older sister has gout. She suffered from exacerbations and each time she had to take painkillers. I'm worried that I might also develop this condition, so I started following a gout diet like my sister. We started switching to healthy foods slowly, but after a month, my sister said that she was having fewer and fewer attacks. Well, I’ve lost a little weight and feel light and energized. Thank you for your hard work in writing this article!
I used to have an extremely negative attitude towards all diets. But the situation turned in such a way that gout during an exacerbation forced me to try this method. And here’s what I want to say - it really helps, at first it’s certainly unusual and you feel out of place, but after a couple of days you begin to feel that there is a positive result. Thanks to this site and the authors of the article, you helped me a lot!
I have gout, my feet caught a cold at work + poor diet. I worked in a warehouse where the floors were earthen and there was terrible cold in the winter. Due to the fact that he ate at random, he also gained weight - up to 116 kg. It got to the point where I had to change jobs and focus more closely on my health. Losing weight was the number one question.
From the very beginning, I chose the diet based on my illnesses, so I immediately excluded “miraculous” dietary supplements and fasting. The diet for patients with gout seemed to me the most reasonable, especially since its principles echo many famous diets. I tried to drink more fluids, eat vegetables and fruits, reduce fatty meats, only cottage cheese from dairy, only vegetable soups.
I still stick to this diet. If you have gout during an exacerbation, there is no other way out if you don’t want pain.
By the way, now I weigh 90 kilograms =)))
Happy are those people who do not know what gout is. I'm tired of her.
A diet for gout patients is simply necessary. Where to go if life has driven you into such a trap? But it helps, it’s much easier with her.
I recently found out that I have gout. And I have a wedding in a month, I urgently need to lose 5 kilograms. Girls, please tell me, can people with gout really stick to this diet? I will not harm the body?? HELP.
Gout is a metabolic disease. When it is violated, urates, or uric acid salts, are deposited inside the joints. This disease has many names, including “the disease of kings”; it appeared a long time ago, and in the time of Hippocrates it had already gained fame. Finding out everything about the phenomenon of gout, what it is, is very important.
If you quote statistics, they prove: three people out of 1000 suffer. The risk group includes men over 40, while for women the period that comes after menopause is dangerous. When figuring out what gout is , it is important to understand that it is associated with the joints. The joints of the entire body, from fingers to toes, are at risk.
Also in most cases, gout is called: a protruding bone on the big toe.
The disease appears due to several reasons, it is very important to identify them, since the symptoms depend on them:
Uric acid crystals are deposited in various joints. Therefore, in the case of gout, the symptoms of treatment are aimed at combating excess uric acid, alleviating an acute attack. The classic onset of the disease is the big toe. Against this background, the symptoms of acute attacks stand out as follows:
When symptoms are identified, gout treatment is carried out according to the established stage of development. Painful attacks subside after some time. There are rare cases of prolonged attacks - up to several weeks. Subsequent complications in most cases occur within a few years.
There are many methods that can help relieve symptoms of the disease. Knowing what gout is and how to treat it , it is difficult to settle on a specific option; it is better to consult a specialist. There are medications that successfully fight pain and inflammation, reduce the possibility of developing new attacks, and sometimes remove them. In any case, treatment for gout involves lifestyle changes. The factors that caused the disease should be identified.
Typically, treatment options for gout depend on the stage of the disease. Among them are:
Many people are interested in what medications will be needed. This is the basis for drug treatment of gout , when drugs are used to reduce uric acid levels. This is done with the help of medications:
The most effective way to prevent the growth of this same bunion is to use: “Valgus PRO”. Research and customer reviews have shown that with this device, the bone in your foot begins to shrink, the pain goes away, and finally, with it, you can put on any comfortable shoes. Link to product description: "Valgus PRO"
1. The very first thing you need to do is relieve the acute attack and immediately begin treatment for gout in order to prevent another exacerbation.
For example, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, such as colchicine, diclofenac, indomethacin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketporolac. If the use of colchicine is unacceptable or its effect is low, glucocorticoids are prescribed (directly into the joint). Bed rest, a diet using only dairy-vegetable foods, an elevated position for the sore joint relative to the whole body, and drinking plenty of fluid are required.
2. They carry out prevention and treatment of existing complications resulting from the deposition of uric acid in the joints and kidneys. With the help of allopurinol and a proper low-protein diet.
Allopurinol helps remove uric acid from the body, which, as we know, causes gout attacks.
3. The diet should help you lose weight. It is a proven fact that when you fast, gout attacks are significantly reduced. The diet consists of almost completely eliminating protein from the diet and consisting of dairy and plant foods. Meat, chicken, fish (boiled only) are allowed up to 3 times a week and in minimal quantities (1g of meat per 1kg of the patient’s weight, i.e. if your weight is 60 kg, then you can eat no more than 60g of meat/chicken per day /fish), It is recommended to make cutlets from such meat (fish), it is very tasty to prepare dishes either steamed or baked.
Throughout the entire period of the disease, a diet and periodic fasting days are recommended:
This diet increases the solubility of uric acid and its rapid removal from the body.
Overeating and starvation are unacceptable. Fasting causes a sharp jump in uric acid levels, which causes an attack of acute gout. It is a known fact that excess weight increases uric acid levels, but sudden weight loss has an extremely adverse effect on the patient’s condition.
If you have gout, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. You cannot consume canned foods and drinks, only everything fresh, because... “canned food” delays the release of uric acid. Alkaline mineral waters, compotes, teas, fruit drinks with low sugar content and, of course, pure water have a beneficial effect. Pure water prevents the formation of kidney stones, so it is very welcome in the patient’s diet. The liquid is drunk an hour before meals, 1 glass about 5 times a day, the liquid should be drunk throughout the acute period of the disease (up to 2-3 liters per day). Be sure to reduce your daily intake of table salt.
For gout it is prohibited:
For gout, the following are limited:
For gout the following are allowed:
Proper treatment of concomitant diseases (diabetes, obesity) will be carried out.
Here are some of them:
1. Using red madder roots (a remedy for internal use).
Take one teaspoon of red madder roots and pour a glass of boiling water and leave. But you can also boil it in a water bath for 10 minutes. Take 0.5 cups in the morning and evening.
2. Using valerian (external remedy)
Perhaps the most famous remedy in the folk treatment of gout. You need to mix 3 bottles of valerian tincture with a bottle of triple cologne (or vodka) and infuse for one night. Then, using a cotton swab, we apply the tincture to problem areas (damaged by gout), put a plastic bag on top and tie it with a warm scarf or put on a warm sock, only carefully so as not to move the bandage. The procedure is carried out at night. Don't be alarmed when after 2-4 days the joint starts to hurt a lot and the skin turns white. This means the healing process has begun.
3. Physiotherapeutic and spa treatment
For this disease, it is recommended to carry out balneotherapy, radon baths, hydrogen sulfide baths, mud applications, which are usually carried out during the process of remission or incomplete remission. With the exception of ultraviolet irradiation, which is prescribed to the area of the joint affected by gout and begins in the early stages of the disease, which makes it possible from time to time to prevent the onset of an attack.
The use of potassium-lithium electrophoresis helps to minimize pain and also helps to increase the physical activity of the joints.
Ultrasound and hydrocortisone ultraphonophoresis procedures on a sore joint have an analgesic, absorbable and anti-inflammatory effect. Complex treatment and rehabilitation of patients with gout in remission necessarily includes medical exercises, which help maintain motor activity.
We also recommend reading:
gout photo on feet gout photo
Treatment for complications is carried out step by step. When an attack of gout occurs, treatment must follow certain requirements. If you experience a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the joint, immediately take Colchicine:
When the attack stops, colchicine therapy should continue for several more days.
Also, an acute attack will help overcome pyrazolone and indole drugs:
They are not as toxic as Colchicine described above; their effect is characterized as anti-inflammatory. The drugs are taken on the first day - 100-150 mg, then the dose is reduced. Indomethacin in high doses causes side effects; it is recommended to take it in the form of suppositories, with caution.
If resistance to drugs is obvious, you can take Prednisolone, starting from 20-30 mg/day. Every day the dose is reduced. Be sure to simultaneously drink small doses of Butadione, as well as Indocide. When the attack passes and the use of Prednisolone is stopped, the use of these drugs should be extended for 7-10 days.
To immediately relieve an attack, treatment for gout involves raising your leg and holding it on an elevated surface. You need to drink more, including different decoctions. With the help of medicine you can relieve inflammation. Caring for the sick at home is a separate topic. Let's look at it briefly.
Naproxen will relieve inflammation, and in any case, in case of gout, treatment with medications on your own initiative is contraindicated. Immediately after completing the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a specific medicine. They are taken strictly according to these recommendations. Then you can achieve relief from attacks.
What can the doctor prescribe? Non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed. In addition to naproxen, the following are effective:
We also recommend reading the articles:
There are cases when a patient is prescribed medications that are given without a prescription. Only the dose in which the medicine is taken is prescribed. Also, treatment for gout relies on medications to suppress new flare-ups.
The medications are the same for different patients; you can find out how gout in men in the article: Gout in men
If, nevertheless, the methods taken did not help, there is no need to declare the drugs ineffective. Sometimes, after the first few months since treatment began, attacks still occur. This is due to the fact that effective treatment of gout relies on drugs that act on the causes of the disease. As is easy to see, many medications in this case are universal in nature, they are taken at different stages of treatment.
With a well-designed course of treatment, as well as healthy kidneys, the prognosis for gout is favorable. Patients remain able to work for a long time, even if tophi have begun to form. The body gradually responds to treatment, it must be continued, just like prevention.
With a disease such as gout, the patient’s relatives should know how to treat it in order to provide assistance during exacerbations. When you have achieved relief from symptoms, you must adhere to measures to prevent the disease.
Gout is a disease resulting from metabolic disorders. This condition is characterized by the deposition of large amounts of uric acid in the joints. An attack of gout develops under the influence of certain negative causes. More often than not, this is preceded by food and alcoholic drinks.
Various factors can influence an acute attack of the disease. They are based on the consumption of foods high in purines and excessive alcohol consumption. Together, they can cause a serious attack of gout, being the main causes of this process. A person suffering from a disease must constantly maintain his own condition and follow a special diet.
Excessive physical activity can affect an acute attack. If the affected joint is constantly overstressed, this will make the situation worse. Severe trauma and the presence of acute diseases can affect an attack. Infectious lesions can contribute to the process.
Seizures accompany a person throughout his life. In particular, if we are talking about its acute course. The person himself is able to control this process and influence the duration of the attack. Following the basic rules will help alleviate the condition.
The basis of this process is a significant increase in the production of uric acid. Moreover, it is not eliminated from the body, but gradually accumulates in it. As a result of this process, acid is deposited in the joints. All this provokes the development of an inflammatory process with acute attacks. This is the pathogenesis of the disease.
Hyperuricemia can be observed not only with gout; this process also occurs with other diseases. Today, there are three main elements that precede the development of the disease. This process is influenced by the amount of uric acid compounds in the body. The rate of their accumulation is also taken into account. The second factor is the deposition of acid in organs and tissues preceding them. The third element is the development of an acute attack. They arise at the site of the lesion. As a result, so-called tophi are formed. These bumps are located around the inflamed joint and are characterized by increased pain.
Most people draw a fine line between gout and arthritis. However, these are slightly different diseases. Gout begins its development abruptly, this is facilitated by breathing problems, increased heart rate and nausea. Not all people experience gout attacks with these symptoms. More often it is an acute pain that appears preferably at night or in the morning. At the same time, the person seems to be climbing the wall. The pain is so aggravating that it feels as if the joints are being twisted.
The pain syndrome is localized at the site of the lesion. These are mainly the joints of the thumbs. Sometimes the elbow, interphalangeal and knee joints are affected. If a person does not take measures to eliminate the attack, the consequences can be severe. To the point that any movement of the affected joint will be accompanied by severe pain.
In addition to all the symptoms described above, gout is characterized by the formation of tophi. These are painless nodules located on the feet, hands and elbows. It is extremely rare that the lesion involves the tongue, scrotum and tendons. The size of tophi can vary, from small in diameter to quite large.
Gout can begin to manifest itself with various symptoms. An acute attack is characterized by severe pain, sometimes it is simply unbearable. In this case, the person is not able to touch the affected joint. In this case, it is difficult to even take any measures to eliminate the pain. The first signs include not only pain, but also a general deterioration in health.
The victim feels excessive weakness and increased body temperature. The affected area turns red and the skin becomes hot. The periarticular tissues often become inflamed and mobility is limited. This symptomatology indicates the presence of an acute attack. Stress, injury and hypothermia can contribute to its development. The duration of the attack depends on the factor that provoked it and the actions taken by the person to eliminate the symptoms.
An acute attack of the disease does not just happen. This process is influenced by certain negative factors. Most often, an acute attack of gout develops against the background of eating foods rich in purines. Such food accelerates the production of lactic acid and its deposition in the joints. Alcohol has a similar effect. Even if a person eats properly and does not drink alcohol, an attack can develop.
The process is negatively affected by excessive physical activity, injuries, surgical interventions and hypothermia. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to begin basic measures to eliminate them. This will speed up the process of relief and reduce the duration of the attack. Medicines alone will not be enough; it is necessary to remove excess acid from the body, in this case only a large amount of liquid will help.
In this case, it all depends on the reason why the acute attack began. Typically, the duration of a gout attack does not exceed 3-7 days. During this period, it is necessary to perform certain actions aimed at relieving pain and inflammation.
To quickly remove excess lactic acid from the body, you need to drink a lot of fluid. On average, this figure fluctuates between 5-6 glasses. How quickly the acid leaves the body depends only on how much of it has accumulated there.
In some cases, attacks last too long. This is due to the abuse of prohibited foods and alcohol. Some people do not try to monitor their own condition. In this case, the attack may drag on for a long time. Moreover, sometimes only the completed acute period can immediately be replaced by a new one. Therefore, everything depends only on the patient.
If attacks last a long time and are difficult to eliminate, the condition will only worsen in the future. The main consequences of gout arise as a result of the lack of necessary measures to eliminate and prevent the development of attacks.
If you do not deal with the decrease in uric acid levels in the body, it will ultimately lead to joint deformation. Urate deposits negatively affect the process. Over time, tophi will appear at the site of permanent uric acid deposits. The disease can become chronic and in this case you will have to constantly fight the attacks. Gradually, the process will absorb other joints, organs and systems. This will affect a person's standard of living.
All this suggests that you should not wait for the consequences to manifest themselves. It is necessary to blunt the further development of the process by all means.
The main consequence of gout is the development of gouty arthritis. As a result of this process, uric acid is deposited in the joints. This complication leads to deformation and damage to soft tissues. The possibility of rupture during mechanical loading cannot be excluded.
Gout also negatively affects the kidneys. Possible development of gouty kidney. This process is characterized by the deposition of uric acid in the tubules and glomeruli of the organ. The complication entails impaired renal function and the development of acute or chronic failure. The possibility of urolithiasis cannot be ruled out. Losses will begin to form in the kidneys. There remains a risk of developing arterial hypertension.
Other complications include: the appearance of tophi, the development of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome. There is a risk of arterial hypertension.
Patients who suspect the development of gout must visit a rheumatologist and urologist. Consultation with specialists will allow you to collect all the information about the patient and his type of activity. Diagnosing a gout attack does not end with collecting data.
The first step is to take a general blood test; it will allow you to track the level of the main components. Diagnosis of a gout attack includes a biochemical blood test. As the process worsens, the level of uric acid increases.
Laboratory methods are followed by radiography of the joints. It will allow you to track their condition, identify deviations and notice lesions. In some cases, a puncture is performed. A fluid sample is taken from the joint for examination. This process reveals the uric acid content.
Ultrasound of the kidneys is widely used. It is carried out in order to exclude the formation of urate stones in the organ. These methods can be used both in combination and separately.
In making the correct diagnosis, great importance is given to the study of uric acid metabolism. It is necessary to track how much acid is produced and how much is excreted. The normal content should not go beyond 0.3 mmol/l, in daily urine 3.8 mmol/day, the average normal clearance of uric acid is 9.1 ml/min. However, these data vary depending on the type of hyperuricemia. This is far from the only test that needs to be taken.
According to the standard, blood and urine can be examined. Particular attention is paid to the ESR indicator. During an exacerbation, it increases, and sometimes moderate leukocytosis is observed. Other indicators are in the acute phase of inflammation. Urinalysis indicates a decrease in its density, leukocyturia and microhematuria.
Synovial fluid is also examined. It is taken by puncture of the affected joint. Upon careful examination, small crystals of sodium urate are found.
X-rays in the early manifestations of the disease do not show any abnormalities. Chronic urates on x-ray are signs of destruction. As a result of this process, the joint space narrows. Instrumental diagnostics indicate defects in bone tissue. At the same time, on the x-ray you can see compactions that form around the joint. These are the so-called tophi. They can be seen even without the help of diagnostic methods. Bumps on the joints are visible to the naked eye.
At the first stage of the attack, cysts form. They do not affect tissue. Often compaction is observed in deeper layers. In the second stage, large cysts are visible on x-ray. They are located around the joint and are accompanied by the development of small erosions on the surfaces. The third stage is characterized by the presence of large erosions. In this case, the soft tissues are too compacted.
Instrumental diagnostic data alone is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis. Usually they start from the results of analyzes and differential studies.
A gouty attack must always be differentiated from acute infectious arthritis. These diseases have identical symptoms. Properly collected data, in particular anamnesis and information about attacks, will allow them to be distinguished from each other. The differential diagnosis does not end there.
If the attack proceeds as a polyarthritis and the lesion covers the joints of the hands, it must be differentiated along with rheumatic or reactive polyarthritis. An attack of gout is characterized by brightly colored skin at the site of the lesion. This symptom is excluded in other cases.
To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take a blood and urine test. This will allow you to determine the quantitative composition of uric acid in the body. This is followed by a biopsy, through which it is possible to study the synovial fluid. These tests, together with instrumental diagnostic data, will be sufficient to make a diagnosis.
For acute pain, it is recommended to take an Ibuprofen or Naproxen tablet. This will pacify the pain a little. In case of severe pain, you should never use medications based on salicylic acid. They promote uric acid retention. Treatment for a gout attack is primarily aimed at reducing pain and removing excess uric acid from the body.
Proper nutrition and drinking plenty of fluids will help in this matter. The daily diet must be filled with vegetables and dairy products. You should drink about 5-6 glasses of liquid. Mineral water and citrus juices are suitable. Proper nutrition plays an important role in this process. It is recommended to do fasting days, once a week, regardless of attacks.
In case of an acute attack, it is necessary to resort to the help of traditional medicine. Make compresses aimed at relieving the inflammatory process. It is medications and special traditional medicine that underlie the treatment of an attack.
It should be noted that the disease is eliminated comprehensively. For this purpose, not only medications are used, but also physiotherapeutic procedures. The severity of the process and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account.
Rheumatologists recommend relieving acute attacks of gout with the help of special anti-inflammatory drugs. They should always be at hand for a person suffering from these manifestations. Diclofenac and Indomethacin have excellent effects. They are used the same way. You can take 1-2 tablets at a time, taking them regularly no more than 4 times a day. The drugs should be used until the condition improves. Every person facing this problem should know how to relieve the further course of a gout attack.
Medicines will relieve acute pain, but this is not enough. It is necessary to calm the inflammatory process and remove excess acid from the body. A person should immediately start eating properly and eliminate foods rich in purines. Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol. Every day you need to drink 5-6 glasses of water. This will help speed up the removal of lactic acid from the body.
Compresses based on cabbage leaves will help cope with inflammation. However, not in all cases a person is able to touch the affected area. In this case, compresses are excluded. Elimination of the problem occurs through medications and large fluid intake. Most importantly, the affected limb should always be on a slight elevation.
If an acute attack begins, the affected joint must be provided with complete rest. Excessive movement will only aggravate the situation and add unpleasant symptoms to the picture. It is recommended to place the affected limb on a slight elevation. If there is a pronounced inflammatory reaction, a warm compress will help. Every person suffering from this disease should know how to relieve a gout attack at home.
The victim needs to drink a lot. This will speed up the process of removing excess lactic acid from the body. The total daily volume should not be less than 2 liters.
Medicines will help relieve pain. A special role is given to antihistamines and antikinin drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs will also help. However, taking the medication does not guarantee the immediate disappearance of the attack. The main symptoms go away within 12 hours. If no effect is observed after taking the drugs, preference is given to glucocorticoids. They can relieve inflammation, but you should not expect a lasting effect from them.
It is advisable to treat the cupping site with a 50% dimexide solution. It will relieve inflammation and calm pain. Applications based on Analgin, Novocaine and Indomethacin are suitable.
During the elimination of an acute attack of gout, medications play an important role. It is not recommended to select medications on your own; this issue is decided by the attending physician based on the patient’s condition. To relieve an attack, medications from different categories are used. The following drugs help reduce the level of uric acid in the body: Allopurinol, Febuxostat and Pegloticase.
Folk remedies have a pronounced effect. It is not for nothing that they were widely used in ancient times. For gout, traditional treatment has also proven itself. After all, it is not so easy to stop an attack with medications alone. It is necessary to use folk remedies as auxiliary measures.
Herbs have always been a powerful tool in the fight against many diseases. Herbal treatment involves the use of various decoctions, tinctures and compresses. Moreover, the product can be based on one component or several.
It is worth noting that treatment with folk remedies must necessarily be accompanied by walking and moderate physical activity.
Gout is an acute disease characterized by severe pain. They arise as a result of the deposition of urate crystals in the joints. The affected areas appear red and shiny. The disease can affect the joints of the upper and lower extremities. Homeopathy can help you fight gout wisely.
At the beginning of an acute attack, preference is given to ACONITE 30. This remedy will suppress unpleasant symptoms. In case of chronic disease, AMMON will help. PHOS. 30. If the diseased joint cannot be touched, immediate assistance will be provided by ARNICA 30. With typical manifestations, BELLADONNA 30 cannot be avoided.
If severe swelling is observed, you need to use BRYONIA 30. COLCHICUM 30 will help eliminate sharp pain and the inability to touch the sore joint. If you have tophi, you cannot do without GUAIACUM 30.
If the condition worsens when the affected joint is exposed to heat, use LEDUM 30. Acute and chronic attacks can be eliminated with SABINA 30.
Detailed information about medications and treatment regimens will be provided by an experienced homeopathic doctor. It is not recommended to use the products yourself.
Surgery for gout is rarely used. This process is not necessary. However, surgical treatment may be necessary if a person has large tophi. As a rule, they interfere with normal life activities. Their location on the limbs, in particular the legs, does not allow wearing shoes normally. And in general, tophi bring a lot of inconvenience.
Formations do not resolve on their own. Often the process involves periarticular tissues. More often than not, the skin suffers, resulting in the development of fistulas. In this case, removal of deposits is recommended. Everything is done through surgery. However, eliminating tophi does not guarantee that it will not appear again in the future.
Tophi are not able to dissolve under the influence of special drugs. If they are not eliminated in a timely manner, there is a risk of limiting joint mobility. Gradually, tophi lead to deformation and then to complete destruction of the cartilage. In this case, the person becomes disabled.
The development of gout is influenced by heredity. However, additional factors are also needed for its occurrence. These may include being overweight, eating a diet high in purines, and drinking too much alcohol. If you take preventive measures, there is a chance to prevent the development of the disease. Prevention of the disease is based on proper nutrition. It is necessary to exclude foods such as: meat, canned food, rich broths and jellied meats. You will have to exclude almost everything from drinks, of course, including alcohol. Preference should be given to vegetables, cereals and dairy products. You can drink a lot of liquid, the main thing is that it is mineral water. Citrus juices are also allowed.
Following recommendations regarding proper nutrition will help avoid attacks of the disease. Certain medications are prescribed as maintenance therapy.
In many patients, gout occurs without any complications. In this case, we mean tophi, arthropathy and pathological processes in the kidneys. This indicates that the prognosis is favorable. At the same time, the person remains functional.
If the condition is severe, disability may occur within several years. This happens when basic recommendations regarding treatment and elimination of the main signs of the disease are ignored. If you do not remove uric acid from the body, the risk of vascular deformation is high.
The patient's life expectancy directly depends on the complexity of the situation. So, if cardiovascular or renal pathology develops, life expectancy is significantly reduced. In most cases, death occurs due to progression of uremia. However, people die just as often with coronary disease. All this indicates that the prognosis depends on the person himself and the actions taken at the right time.
Portnov Alexey Alexandrovich
Education: Kiev National Medical University. A.A. Bogomolets, specialty - "General Medicine"