When there is constant, stabbing pain toe that just cannot stop hurting, it means you are suffering from gout. In the US, millions of people suffer from gout. The condition is more common in men than the women. Gout is a condition caused by the development of uric-acid in the body. When uric acid crystallizes in joints and causes inflammation and unbearable pain, this indicates the gout attack.

Simple measures to cure gout are listed below.

Pain relievers
Medications the help in pain relief for gout are generally the effective over-the-counter pain medications that help one prevent the attack. Some examples of these medications are anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It is better to ask a medical practitioner for safe medication.

Prescription drugs
Taking prescription drugs helps in pain relief for gout. If you had gout attack in the past, it is better to take the similar medications in pain as recommended before. There are many kinds of stronger medication such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. A corticosteroid can be either taken orally or through injection in the affected joint. There is one more oral medication known as colchicines is helpful in gout. It has been observed that this medication helps in pain relief for gout and reduce inflammation within 24 hours of a gout attack.

Ice
One home remedy for gout is the application of ice on the affected joint. Cold therapy can be a great method for pain relief for gout and would act as an anti-inflammatory agent to suppress the pain.

Elevation of joint
An affected foot usually can be treated with elevation joint that involves RICE therapy. RICE stands for rest, compression and elevation. It can be a great way to relive a pain of gout attack.

Rest
Giving your joint a comfortable time during the attack helps minimize the pain. This can be done by reducing the pressure on the affected joint. It is better to keep your feet warm until the pain goes away.

Hydration
The pain is due to the building up uric acid, it is recommended drinking a lot of water. Drinking water during gout attack helps flush the uric acid out from the system. It is advisable to drink more than 8 glasses of water during a day.

There can be many serious cases of gout that need careful treatment. In such a condition, a physician may recommend corticosteroid injection into the joint affected. An injection is a feasible option for those who cannot take other medications.

Sometimes, a surgery is recommended to remove tophi. Tophi are small white growths that develop under the skin where the uric acid crystallizes. There are also ways to prevent a future gout flare-up. This can be achieved by avoiding drinks and foods that contain high purines level.

Home remedies for gout pain relief
People may suffer from a gout attack all of very sudden. They may not get immediate medical help or doctor’s advice. Therefore, there are ways one can treat their own gout attack simple by home based remedies. Below, you will read what can be done to treat gout attack with home remedies.

Here are a number of steps that can be taken to minimize the effect of a gout attack.

• Keep the affected joint or part of the body at rest. It may take 24 hours for an attack to come down. It is advised to keep the affected part of the body at rest for as long a day from the time of the attack.
• Elevate painful joints. It helps in pain relief for gout and minimizes the impact of an attack.
• Apply ice to reduce the as swelling and inflammation.
• Take non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve inflammation in the affected area. It is suggested to not to take aspirin for the purpose. Aspirin can suddenly alter the impact and level of uric acid.

Prevention and precautions
Those who have suffered from the gout attack once are prone to have the attack again in the future. Therefore, it is better to take precautionary and preventive measures to avoid any type of attack from occurring.

There are a number of things one can do to avoid future gout attack. Weight control is one way to prevent a future gout attack among those who have previously suffered from the condition. Those who are overweight are at greater risk of a gout attack. It is recommended to take a low-fat diet. However, dieting does not mean taking a low-calorie diet. This is because a diet low in calorie can elevate the level of uric acid in the body. This may only intensify the problem than suppressing it.

Another thing is to follow an exercise regimen. Limiting intake of intoxicants such as alcohol and beer can help avoid a future gout attack. It is also recommended to reduce the intake of meat and seafood. This is because a diet high in meat and seafood contain high-purine that can cause uric acid levels to go up.