If you suffer from gout, then you are already familiar with the signs that a flare-up is about to take place. Although you cannot stop an attack after it has started, there are gout remedies you can use at home to help ease some of your symptoms.
Warning Signs That A Gout Flare-Up Is About To Take Place
A gout flare-up often starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling in a joint in one or two hours before the flare-up begins. Your joint might feel somewhat sore or stiff. Soon after that, the clear signs of gout start. If you are someone who suffers from repeated attacks of gout, then you will start becoming familiar with the signals from your body that one is about to occur.
When the flare-up begins, most people will tend to experience severe pain, swelling and redness in one joint. The base of the large toe is the most common area where gout occurs, however it can also take place in other joints like the instep, ankle, wrist, knee or elbow.
Home Remedies For Gout Flare-Ups
If you have been diagnosed with having gout and your doctor has prescribed medicine to take for a flare-up, then you should take it as directed once you know you are having an attack. Usually you will want to take the medication as soon as you first have signs of a flare-up.
Your doctor might prescribe NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like sulindac, meloxicam, indomethacin or celecoxib or recommend that you take an over-the-counter NSAID in prescription doses, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. For most people, these medicines work well.
To avoid getting gout flare-up, you might be taking medicine already. Your doctor might have prescribed one of the following:
- Rasburicase (Elitek)
- Probenecid
- Pegloticase (Krystexxa)
- Lesinurad (Zurampic)
- Febuxostat (Uloric)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
- Allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim, Lopurin)
If you suffer a flare-up it doesn't necessarily mean your medication isn't working properly. During the first couple of months that they are taken, you might have a gout attack while you body is still getting adjusted to the drug. If that occurs, your doctor will most likely prescribe something for you.
Non-medicinal Pain Relief
Try using these gout remedies, in addition to your medication, to provide relief for your symptoms:
- Use cold – For mild to moderate pain, try applying a cold compress or pack to the joint to soothe the ache and reduce inflammation. Ice your joint several times per day for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Rest your joint – Stay off of the joint until your pain eases up. Rest your joint on a soft object such as a pillow.
- Drink plenty of water – Your uric acid levels increase even higher when your body doesn't get enough water. To keep your uric acid levels normal, make sure to stay hydrated.
- Watch what you drink and eat – Foods that are high in purines, like fatty foods, organ meats such as liver and some seafood, can increase your uric acid levels. So can alcohol (beer especially) and fructose-sweetened drinks.
These remedies can help to reduce your pain and inflammation from a gout flare-up. Call your doctor anytime you have a flare-up so there can be a follow up visit if your symptoms don't improve or to ensure that your treatment plan is an effective one.