If your foot is affected, lie in bed and prop it up above your body on a pile of pillows. If it is very sore, it may be too painful to even have a sheet over it.
Apply ice for 20 minutes and then give your skin time to warm up. This will prevent the cold from damaging your skin. If you do not have ice available, you can use a package of frozen peas or corn. Always wrap the ice or frozen vegetables in a thin towel so the ice isn’t applied directly onto your skin.
Possible medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). These medications are not recommended for people with stomach ulcers or bleeding, kidney problems, or blood pressure conditions. Don’t take aspirin. It can increase your uric acid levels. [8] X Research source If you are currently on other medications, consult your doctor to avoid any possible interaction effects.
Eat less red meat like steaks. Don’t eat gamey meats like rabbit, pheasant, and venison. Avoid organ meats like liver, kidneys, heart, and sweetbreads. Reduce your seafood intake, especially caviar and shellfish like mussels, crab and shrimp. You should also steer clear of oily fish like sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats, whitebait, herring, and trout. Yeast and meat extracts are also high in purines. This includes marmite, bovril, and many commercially manufactured gravies. Low-fat dairy products may decrease your risk of gout attacks.
An occasional glass of wine is ok and may even be beneficial. [12] X Research source Binge drinking can provoke a gout attack.
Drinks flavored with cherry extract are an exception, as long as they aren’t artificially flavored and packed with other sugars. Cherries and cherry extract may help lower your levels of uric acid. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
The amount of water you need will vary depending on your body size, activity levels, and the climate you live in. But you should drink at least eight glasses per day. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated and should drink quickly. If you urine infrequently and pass dark or cloudy urine, those are signs that you may be dehydrated.
Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking, or 15 minutes of more strenuous exercise, like running, five days a week. [17] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Swimming is a great way to get exercise without putting stress on joints that might be hurting.
Using crash diets that aim to make people lose lots of weight quickly are often high in protein and low in carbohydrates. These diets are likely to be high in purines and may aggravate your gout.
Talk to your doctor before adding supplements to make sure it is right for you. Vitamin C only reduces uric acid a little bit, so while it may help prevent new attacks, it is unlikely to be a cure.
Symptoms may include severe pain, inflammation, and redness in the affected joint for several hours and less severe pain lasting for days or weeks afterwards. The hand and foot joints are affected most often. [20] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source While gout can be managed with lifestyle changes, treatment usually requires medications. See a doctor immediately if your gout attack is associated with a fever or if the joint is hot. These symptoms may indicate that you have an infection that needs quick attention. [21] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If over-the-counter drugs were ineffective and managing your pain, the doctor can describe something stronger. Colchicine. This drug decreases the inflammatory reaction of the joint lining in response to the crystals. Corticosteroids. These medications may be given as an injection directly into the joint for fast relief and may be especially helpful for those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs. However, these corticosteroids can’t be taken long-term. If you have a history of gout, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce your uric levels by either reducing the amount of uric acid your body produces or by increasing the amount that your body excretes. [23] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
A diet with lots of meat, seafood, sweet drinks, and beer. Being overweight. High blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic conditions, heart or kidney disease. [25] X Expert Source Siddharth Tambar, MDBoard Certified Rheumatologist Expert Interview. 25 August 2020. Taking certain medications against hypertension, anti-rejection drugs after a transplant, or aspirin. A family history of gout. Having undergone surgery or sustaining an injury. Men are more likely than women to have gout, though women’s risks increase after menopause.
