Tips for immediate relief from gout pain

Gout is a painful metabolic disease that causes inflammation and deposition of uric acid in the cartilage of the joints. The main cause of gout is the defective metabolism of purine (a nucleic acid). Under normal circumstances, the purine is metabolized by the body into uric acid and then expelled through the kidneys. However, in this metabolic disorder, metabolic defects cause excessive production of uric acid, but they are not expelled properly.

In almost all cases, gout develops due to the inadequate rate of uric acid excretion through the kidneys. When the uric acid level in the blood is abnormally high, it leads to the formation of urate crystals that are needle-shaped. Uric acid is organized into needle-shaped crystals in the joints and produces redness, intense pain, sensitivity, and swelling. The deposition of urate crystals irritates the lining of the joints and triggers the painful inflammation of the joints. This is also known as an acute gout attack. The deposit of urate crystals in the joints is called tophus. The joint of the big toe is affected in about three out of four patients with gout, but any joint can be affected, including ankles, wrists, knees or elbows. Women, in particular, have a tendency to develop gout in their hands.

Immediate pain relief tips for gout

Here are some of the immediate pain relief tips for gout and gout pain treatment:

• Gout pain treatment by apple cider vinegar : By helping the body to become more alkaline, apple cider vinegar has become a well-known solution for innumerable ailments, including gout. Try mixing a couple of tablespoons of apple vinegar in eight ounces of water. You can drink everything at once or drink it over time; Try both methods and see which one is most effective for gout pain treatment. This solution can reduce pain by 90% in a day or two.
• Ibuprofen : It is an over-the-counter drug that acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the pain of a gout attack. You will need to take four tablets to start feeling the effects. This drug is one of the best gout pain treatment for pain relief gout.

Prescription Medications

• Allopurinol : Allopurinol inhibits the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of purines that contribute to high levels of uric acid in the blood. It has been found that some patients may not experience the benefits and the effects of allopurinol for up to six months. During this time, it is normal to experience gout attacks. Your doctor may prescribe allopurinol along with colchicines to help control pain until the medication starts to take effect.
• Lesinurad : Lesinurad helps in reducing the uric acid levels and is often accompanied by allopurinol, especially if you have difficulty reducing uric acid alone with allopurinol.
• Pegloticase : This is a drug of last resort that requires only 3% of patients with gout who cannot tolerate other treatment options. It comes as a solution that is injected intravenously every two weeks by a doctor or nurse in a clinic. Like allopurinol, the effect of pegloticase may not be felt during the first three months so other drugs, such as colchicines or NSAIDs may be prescribed until the start of treatment.

Short-term drugs:

• Colchicine : This medicine blocks inflammation and reduces the swelling caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals. It is recommended to take it in low doses as higher doses may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Corticosteroids : Corticosteroids provide immediate relief by reducing the pain and swelling of inflammation. It can be taken as a capsule or can be injected into the muscle of the affected joint or joints. For those with diabetes, it is advised that they should be careful when taking this treatment, as it is known to affect blood sugar levels.
• Gout pain treatment with ice : Apply ice to the affected joint. If you can tolerate the pressure of an ice pack, cold therapy can offer pain relief by decreasing inflammation and decrease pain signals.
• Call the doctor : When a gout attack occurs, it is important to call a doctor and make an appointment for the immediate gout pain treatment.At this appointment, your doctor may recommend a low-purine diet for the patient to prevent attacks like this in the future. The purines are the cause of the uric acid that accumulates in the joints and the acid found in various kinds of foods. It is advised that a doctor should be consulted for any other steps you can take to prevent future attacks.
• Gout pain treatment by consuming sodium bicarbonate : Dilute and mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in eight ounces of water and take it three times a day. Just do this if you do not have high blood pressure because sodium bicarbonate is very rich in sodium.

A gout attack can happen to anyone with experience of arthritis and a diet rich in purines. If you take steps to reduce the number of purines in your body and live a healthy lifestyle, the chances of suffering from gout-related problems decrease slightly.

However, if you have gout problems, follow the advice above to help treat it. If left untreated, gout can cause difficult pain and even damage the muscles and bone inside and around the afflicted joint. So ask a doctor as soon as you start experiencing a gout attack.