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Treatment
Treatment for gout usually involves medications. What medications you and your doctor choose will be based on your current health and your own preferences. Medications for gout include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs may control inflammation and pain in people with gout. NSAIDs include over-the-counter options such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others), as well as more powerful prescription NSAIDs. NSAIDs carry risks of stomach pain, bleeding and ulcers.
Colchicine. Colchicine controls gout effectively, but may cause uncomfortable side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you're unable to take NSAIDs, your doctor may recommend colchicine.
Steroids. Steroid medications, such as the drug prednisone may control gout inflammation and pain. Steroids may be administered in pill form, or they can be injected into your joint. Side effects of steroids may include thinning bones, poor wound healing and a decreased ability to fight infection. Steroids may be reserved for people who can't take either NSAIDs or colchicine.
Zsa*Zsa* Galore
Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints. If you are overweight, drink alcohol often, & eat too much meat & fish (both are high in chemicals called purines) your chances are higher of getting Gout. Because of the diet causes, they used to call Gout "The Disease of Kings."
http://www.upiasiaonline.com/Society_Culture/2008/02/26/health_watch_gout_the_disease_of_kings/8024/
Changes in food habits, along with medication, are a must in the treatment and prevention of gout. Extensive research has been conducted in the past couple of decades and today most physicians agree that gout sufferers should stay away from foods like meat, sea food, alcohol and beer. Low-fat dairy products appear beneficial as the milk protein casein helps in excreting uric acid.
Research has found that certain medicines may contribute to the development of Gout. They include the following:
certain diuretics ("water pills")
niacin (a B-complex vitamin)
aspirin (taken in low doses)
cyclosporine (brand names: Sandimmune, Neoral, SangCya)
some drugs used to treat cancer
Diet in combination with medicines has proven most effective in controlling Uric Acid in the blood. The recommended diet:
Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.
Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid.
Avoid High-Purine foods
Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.
Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meats, foods prepared with less oils and lower fat dairy products.
High Purrine Foods to be avoided:
Sweetbreads
Anchovies
Sardines
Liver
Beef kidneys
Brains
Meat extracts (e.g Oxo, Bovril)
Herring
Mackerel
Scallops
Game meats
Gravy
Use in Moderation:
Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas
Lentils, dried peas and beans
Beef, pork, poultry, fish and seafood
Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ
Gout-Friendly Foods
Drink plenty of liquids, especially water
Add low fat dairy products to your diet.
Additional low-purine choices include carbonated beverages, coffee, cereals, chocolate, fruits, breads, grains, pasta, rice, olives, cheese, eggs, milk products, sugar, tomatoes, and some types of green vegetables.
Eat fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, and halibut).
Eat unsweetened cherries (canned, fresh, or frozen). Cherries lower uric acid levels and can prevent gout attack. Blueberries, blackberries, and other deeply pigmented berries are also helpful.
Drinking cherry juice (organic) is also helpful in prevention..
Maintaining healthy body weight is important. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body. Follow a well-balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.
Recent studies revealed that high intake of low-fat dairy products indeed reduces the risk of gout by 50%. It is unknown why low-fat dairy products offer a protective effect.
Also, be sure to talk to your doctor about every medication that you take—including prescription drugs, aspirin and other medications you may buy at the drug store or supermarket, herbs, natural supplements, vitamins, and anything else that you take to affect your health.
Common medicines for the treatment of Gout:
NSAIDS, specifically indomethacin, are commonly the first medication prescribed to treat acute gout. Other NSAIDS may be equally effective. NSAIDS are initially prescribed at maximum dosage and reduced as symptoms subside. The medication should be continued until pain and inflammation are non-existent for at least 48 hours. NSAIDS which are COX-2 inhibitors may be useful for patients with gastrointestinal concerns.
Colchicine is used to treat acute flares of gouty arthritis and to prevent recurrent acute attacks. Colchicine does not cure gout or take the place of other medicines that lower the amount of uric acid in the body. It prevents or relieves gout attacks by reducing inflammation. Colchicine may be used in 2 ways: some people take small amounts of it regularly for months or years, while others take large amounts of colchicine during a short period of time (several hours).
Corticosteroids or adrenocorticotropic hormone can be used for patients who cannot take NSAIDS or colchicine. Patients with acute gout typically receive daily doses of prednisone (20-40mg) or its equivalent for 3 to 4 days, then it is tapered gradually over one to two weeks. ACTH is administered as an intramuscular injection (an initial dose and subsequent doses over several days as needed).
Allopurinol (brand name - Zyloprim) is prescribed for chronic gout or gouty arthritis and works by affecting the system that manufactures uric acid in the body. It is used to prevent gout attacks, not to treat them once they occur.
Probenecid (brand names - Benemid, Probalan) is prescribed for chronic gout and gouty arthritis. It is used to prevent attacks related to gout, not treat them once they occur. It acts on the kidneys to help the body eliminate uric acid.
ColBenemid (other brand names are Col-Probenecid and Proben-C) is a gout medication that contains Probenecid, which is a uricosuric agent, and Colchicine, which has anti-gout properties.
Losartan, (brand names - Cozaar and Hyzaar), is not specifically a gout medication but is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, antihypertensive drug that may help control uric acid levels. Fenofibrate, (brand name - Tricor), is not a specific gout medication but it a lipid-lowering drug that may help uric acid levels.
Analgesic painkillers are also used to relieve the intense pain of gout. All of the aforementioned drugs can be used in combination, to control symptoms, prevent future attacks, and maintain healthy uric acid levels.
Supplements that are helpful in Gout treatment:
Quercetin—Take 200 to 400 mg daily between meals. Quercetin inhibits uric acid production.
Bromelain—Take 200 to 400 mg daily between meals. This enzyme found in pineapples is anti-inflammatory. For best results, take with quercetin.
Vitamin E—Take 400 IUs daily.
Flaxseed oil—Take 1 tbs daily.
Here's a link to a site with great information on gout & getting rid of it:
http://www.goutcure.com/index.html
Hope all this helps! Good luck!
Orignal From: Whats the best way to deal with/get rid of gout?
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