Physicians Guide to Managing Gouty Arthritis: Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes for Relief

If you've ever abruptly woken up due to a sharp pain in your big toe, so intense that even the weight of a bed sheet or your blanket feels unbearable, you might be experiencing a gout attack. 

Gouty arthritis, or gout, is a serious condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. 

This article is designed to understand gout and how to manage your condition effectively.

What is Gouty Arthritis?

Gouty arthritis, commonly known as gout, is a form of arthritis characterized by sudden, intense episodes of pain, swelling, and redness in the joints. It occurs when uric acid, a waste product circulating in the bloodstream, forms crystals and deposits in the joints. 

The big toe is often the first and most commonly affected area, but gout can affect any joint in the body.

What sets gout apart from other forms of arthritis? Well simply put, if you have gout, your symptoms would develop very suddenly, and if tested for, your blood test will show high levels of uric acid

Treatment Options for Gouty Arthritis

When it comes to tackling gout, two major goals should be kept in mind: 

First, that intense pain you feel during a flare-up has to be eased as quickly as possible. Second, we want to keep those flare-ups from coming back. 

What you need are the right treatments and some changes to your lifestyle.

Medications for Gout

• Quick Pain Relief: For those times when the gout pain becomes intense, there are some medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, or corticosteroids that can dial down the pain and swelling.

• Long-Term Control: To keep gout in check, there are treatments aimed at keeping your uric acid levels low, like allopurinol or febuxostat. It's really important to stick with these to keep those painful flare-ups at bay.

Lifestyle and Dietary Recommendations for Gouty Arthritis

Dietary Advice

• Foods to Avoid: High-purine foods like red meats, certain seafood like anchovies and mackerel, organ meats such as liver, and some types of alcohol, particularly beer. Other foods to avoid include sugary beverages.

• Foods to Include: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products can help manage uric acid levels.

Lifestyle Changes

• Weight Management: Shedding extra pounds can reduce the pressure on your joints and help lower uric acid levels.

• Exercise: Regular, gentle exercise keeps your joints flexible and helps in maintaining a healthy weight.

• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out uric acid, lowering the chances of those painful crystals forming in your joints.

What to do when you have a gout attack

When you begin to feel intense gout pain,  there are steps you can take right away to ease the discomfort:

• Start by resting the affected joint and applying ice to reduce inflammation.

• Elevate the inflamed joint above heart level to help reduce swelling.

• Take your pain medication

• Drink plenty of water to help flush out the uric acid.

If the pain becomes unbearable or the attack differs from what you've experienced before, it's time to reach out to your healthcare provider. Especially if you have a fever or the joint looks infected, don't wait to seek medical advice.

Conclusion

So far we have discussed gout and how actively participating in its management can significantly improve your quality of life. Use this guide as a starting point for a conversation with your doctor about managing gout.