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Treatment of Gout
By peace | February 12, 2006
Through the use of certain kinds of medications, a proper diet and exercise, gout sufferers will be able to successfully treat their condition.
Uric acid levels in the body can be controlled through medications, thus reducing the number of gout attacks.
Doctors will usually prescribe a medication called allopurinol that stops the over production of uric acid. If the kidneys are not excreting enough uric acid, your doctor may prescribe a different kind of medication such as probenecid or sulfinpyrazone.
Doctors have been using a drug called colchicine for centuries to treat gout attacks. Colchicine relieves pain while limiting the inflammation of the joint. Often the drug provides relief quickly but there are some side effects such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Nonsalicylate NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen may be used for pain relief. Aspirin should not be used because it can actually make symptoms of gout worse.
Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about starting a proper diet. There are certain foods that you should stay away from and be sure to limit your alcohol intake as wine and beer have been shown to make symptoms worse.
A combination of exercise, rest and relaxation is important in achieving an optimum level of health and wellness. Your doctor or physical therapist will help you create an exercise plan such as swimming or walking that will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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