Gout symptoms include:
Gout flares can last days or weeks.
Your symptoms may resolve on their own without treatment.
But treatment leads to quicker resolution of symptoms and less permanent destruction of the tissues in the joint space.
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Gout Treatment
Treatment for gout flares includes medications to relieve pain and shorten the flare duration.
Colchicine is prescribed by a healthcare provider.
The dose will depend on factors that include your allergy profile and kidney and liver function.
Therefore, they are the most commonly used treatment for acute gout flares.
Indocin (indomethacin) is an NSAID available by prescription for gout.
Once your symptoms go away, you should stop these medications.
Corticosteroids
Oral glucocorticoids such as prednisone and prednisolone are steroids that may be prescribed for gout flares.
They are as effective as NSAIDs and colchicine.
Treatment often requires taking a pill by mouth once or twice per day.
Corticosteroids may also be injected directly into the affected joint to relieve inflammation and pain.
It is typically used to treatrheumatoid arthritis.
Most side effects are mild and go away on their own.
Kineret may be used off-label under the supervision of your healthcare provider if traditional medications are unsuccessful.
Managing Symptoms
Diet and lifestyle are important for preventing flares and managing symptoms of gout.
Diet
Changes in your diet may help prevent gout flares.
Knowing which foods are gout-friendly and which ones to avoid can help reduce the risk of an acute flare.
Ultimately, the frequency of your gout flares will depend on your lifestyle.
If you identify certain foods as triggers, you may want to limit your intake or avoid them entirely.
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