What To Do When You Have a Gout Attack

A gout attack is a painful condition that can onset within a matter of a few hours, and when these symptoms begin you will want to implement a treatment process immediately in order to reduce the pain that you are experiencing.

What Causes a Gout Attack

In order to understand the best treatment process, it is important to begin by understanding why gout attack occurs. When there is an excess of uric acid in the body, the uric acid beings to deposit in the joints which can cause a buildup of uric acid crystals. These high levels of uric acid can be prevented through diet, and it is important to begin a gout diets immediately if you are experiencing a gout attack.

Eating foods that are high in purines may cause higher levels of uric acid within the body, and if you experience gout attacks it is a good idea to avoid foods that are high in purines. These foods include: meat, alcohol, seafood, sweet breads, and fructose sweetened drinks.

In addition to diet, there are other causes of gout attacks, such as: obesity, kidney problems, or certain medications. If you are experiencing gout attacks on a regular basis, it is a good idea to keep a journal in order to identify what is triggering the attack. Write down the foods that you ate, medications that were taken, and the physical activity that occurred right before the attack started.

 How To Treat a Gout Attack

Gout usually occurs in the joint of the big toe, resulting in an inflamed, tender area. This area may be so tender that even a slight brush of fabric on the skin will result in intense pain. The best treatment for a gout attack is to manage the pain and reduce the levels of uric acid in the body so that they inflammation will decrease.

Pain can be managed by taking non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and these medications will reduce the inflammation and pain. Consult with your doctor before taking the medication, and they may suggest a higher dose in order to stop the gout from progressing.

Drinking plenty of water can reduce the uric acid levels in your body, so it is suggested that you stay well hydrated to treat a gout attack. Additionally, hydration can prevent future attacks, because the uric acid levels will be kept at a reasonable amount.

Following a strict gout diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the uric acid levels in the body, and you should actively avoid any foods that are high in purines.

If you continue to experience pain from a gout attack, you may consult with a doctor in order to determine other treatment processes that can be implemented. There are certain medications that may help to reduce the uric acid levels in the body. But, most health professionals suggest a gout diet to manage the symptoms naturally; medication is usually the last effort to control gout pain.