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Gout is an inflammation of your joints, causing intense pain. If you are suffering you will most certainly be seeking out effective pain relief for gout.
There are several medications to help with immediate pain relief for gout. Here are a few that are commonly used.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, are used to treat acute attacks and prevent future attacks. They help control inflammation and pain for those with gout. Doctors usually prescribe a higher dose to stop an acute attack; it is followed by a lower daily dose to prevent further attacks.
Ibuprofen and Naproxen are two over-the-counter options that provide temporary relief from gout. If you are suffering from acute attacks then your doctor might prescribe Indomethacin, which is very powerful. The drawback to using NSAIDs is that they carry risks of bleeding, ulcers and stomach pain.
Your doctor may prescribe Colchicine if you are unable to take NSAIDs. It is a type of pain reliever that can effectively reduce gout pain. However, its effectiveness is usually offset by a plethora of side effects, some of which include vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. As with the above, doctors usually prescribe a high dose at first, followed by a low daily dose to keep further attacks at bay.
Corticosteroids are another option that many doctors take. These medications help control gout inflammation and pain. They are administered in pill form or injected into your joint. These are usually reserved for those who cannot take the first two options for pain relief for gout. It is because side effects for Corticosteroids include thinning bones, poor wound healing capabilities and a higher chance of getting infections.
If you don’t want to use drugs, there are other effective methods of bringing about pain relief for gout.
A cold compress (for example a bag of frozen vegetables) can bring immediate relief. Note though that gout can actually be worsened by lower temperatures. One unique home remedy is to place cold wet cabbage leaves over the joint.
Many people swear that baking soda provides gout pain relief very quickly. Baking soda is alkaline, and the theory is that it offsets the uric acid. Be careful with this remedy as you can overdo it. One teaspoon in a large glass of water is more than enough.
If your gout symptoms are an ongoing problem, doctors can also take advantage of various drugs that can be used to prevent complications associated with frequent gout attacks. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, including Allopurinol and Febuxostat are used to block or limit uric acid production.
They lower the level of uric acid in your blood, thus reducing the risk of gout. They have various side effects, including rash, nausea and low blood counts. Taking them is also not recommended if you have recently suffered from an acute attack.
Probenecid is another drug that can be used to improve uric acid removal in your kidneys, effectively reducing the risk of gout. However, it does increase the level of uric acid in your urine, though it is not as much of a problem as it sounds. It also has some side effects, which includes the formation of kidney stones and stomach pain.
There are several drugs available for pain relief for gout. They have their own advantages, and drawbacks in the form of side effects. It all comes down to you and your doctor, who will take your health in mind when prescribing medication. Your first option will most probably be NSAIDs, followed by Colchicine or Corticosteroids. If you want to treat yourself naturally, look to apply cold to the area, and perhaps try the baking soda remedy.
