How to treat Gout Attacks at home

How to treat Gout Attacks at home 

Warning signs of a Gout flare-up 

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by an abnormally high uric acid level in the blood. Uric acid is a byproduct released when the body breaks down purines that occur in food. The high levels of uric acid cause crystals (growths) to form around the affected joints. 

Some people with gouty arthritis, or gout, say that an attack starts with a burning, tingling, or itching feeling in a joint(s) a couple of hours before a flare-up begins. If you experience recurring attacks, you will learn your body’s signals that a flare-up is starting. Occasionally, some people may not experience any symptoms before a flare-up occurs.

When gout flare-up begins, common symptoms, such as redness, severe pain, and swelling, occur in the affected joint. 

Medicines prescribed to prevent gout flare-ups: 

• Colchicine 
• Allopurinol (Zyloprimm, Lopurin, Aloprim)
• Rasburicase (Elitek)
• Lesinurad (Zurampic)
• Probenecid (Probalan)
• Canakinumab (Ilaris)

Home care for a Gout Flare-up 

At-home remedies may help to relieve pain or symptoms associated with attacks or flare-ups. 

Pain relief without medication: 

• Rest and elevate the affected joint(s). Gout may cause inflammation and swelling in joints, especially in the ankles, feet, hands, and knees. Rest and elevation can help improve blood flow and drain swelling from the affected joint(s). 
• Watch what you drink and eat. A balanced diet can help reduce a person’s risk of gout flare-ups and lower uric acid levels in the blood.
• Drink water. Uric acid levels may rise when your body does not have enough water.
• Apply ice to the affected joint. Try cold packs or compresses to lower inflammation.
• Reduce stress. Increased stress can worsen symptoms associated with gout. 
• Limit alcohol intake. Drinking more than two drinks per day may increase the risk of a person developing gout. 
• Avoid high-purine meats. These meats may be linked to increasing a person’s gout symptoms.

Over-the-counter pain medication:

• Ibuprofen 
• Naproxen sodium 

These over-the-counter pain medications may not be natural, but they provide good options for treating inflammation and pain associated with gout. 

Another treatment option, although very rarely recommended, to treat severe cases of gout is surgery. Surgery may only be considered for those with extreme pain, a severe infection at the site, or a significant abnormality. Surgery options for gout include tophi removal, joint fusion, and joint replacement. 

When to get help for a gout flare-up 

If you experience a flare-up, it is always a good idea to get hold of your doctor. Sometimes a follow-up treatment will be made to make sure that the treatment plan is working. Get hold of your doctor if:

• This is your first gout flare-up. Other conditions, such as joint infection, have the same symptoms as a gout attack.
• Your symptoms do not get better after 48 hours or last longer than seven days. Most gout attacks generally go away by themselves after several weeks, even without treatment. 

You have chills and a high fever. Gout attack symptoms may include chills, and a mild fever, with a high fever indicating infection.