Treatment Options For Gout

Gout is the clinical term for the symptoms of severe arthritic pain and inflammation experienced in connective tissues and in joints between bones. Gout treatment is available as a pain management device and for lowering the level of uric acid in the blood. What are the gout treatment options?

Traditional pharmacological medication for management of acute gout pain is in the form of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as indomethacin and naproxen. These are supplemented by corticosteroids such as prednisone or diclofenac.

NSAIDs and corticosteroids have certain bad side effects on the body. NSAIDs are a source of gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric or duodenal ulcers, reduced creatinine clearance, hyperkalemia, and elevations in liver enzymes.

Steroids have a number of well-documented side effects.

If NSAIDs and corticosteroids do not provide pain-relief, doctors administer colchicine. Colchicine is an alkaloid from the autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale. Colchicine, when administered in very low doses (<1mg) during the first twelve hours of an acute gout attack, proves most effective in control of painful symptoms of gout.

Even colchicine has bad side effects. It may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea. It is contraindicated in elderly patients with a history of renal impairment.

Allopurinol is the drug of choice for the control of levels of uric acid crystals and to prevent such crystal formation in the body. It is used after the acute phase of the attack is over.

Allopurinol is not entirely devoid of side effects. Such effects are seen in 3 to 5% of patients. Its common adverse effects are pruritic maculopapular rash, fever, deteriorating renal insufficiency (especially in elderly patients), vasculitis, and death.

A number of alternative natural, homeopathic, and herbal remedies are available to control gout, maybe without side effects. They are given below.

Herbs such as Baikal skullcap, chamomile, stinging nettle, chiso, mints, yarrow, carrots, contain anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Cherries, grapes, pine bark, and bilberries contain anti-oxidants such as anthocyanadins and proanthocyanidins.

Celery seed extract may also be helpful as it contains anti-oxidants. Boswellia, curcumin, devil's claw, and yucca can be tried. Guaiacum resin extract is an anti-inflammatory for gout. Omega-3 fatty acids, which contains Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibits production of inflammatory leukotrienes.

Alcohol control, dietary control, lifestyle modification, and dehydration avoidance are natural treatments for gout.

High purine foods, high protein food intake, and red meat should be restricted in gout. The intake of shellfish, yeast extract, kidneys, and liver should be avoided in the diet. A gout patient needs to drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

Homeopathic drugs used for gout treatment include lithium carb, urtica urens, and uricum acidum.

Pharmacological medication used for gout treatment is FDA-regulated. Even though natural treatments have are touted as having "no side effects" their market is not FDA-regulated and hence alternative treatments should be used with care.

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