How To Deal With Gout Attacks?

What is Gout (Gouty Arthritis)?

Gout is a form of arthritis, which is mostly common in men. Gout can cause an occurrence of abrupt stiffness, joint can get swelled up and you can experience fiery pain. One can get these painful symptoms again and again until the gout gets treated. It is very important to get gout treated because as time may pass it may cause harm to ones tendons, joints and other tissues.

Having high levels of uric acid in the blood causes Gout. A lot of times it is not harmful to have a high level of uric acid in the body but it puts one at high risk for Gout. When uric acid levels are too high they can cause hard crystals to form in the joint.

Gout can be caused due to a lot of factors but ones chances are higher than average if one consumes too much alcohol, is overweight or intakes large quantities of meat and fish which have high levels of purines. For some people taking medicines such as diuretics (water pills) can cause gout.

Dealing With A Gout Attack

Gout attacks are very painful and acute. So if you get a sudden tenderness, swelling, redness or radiating heat in the joint, then you should act fast.

1. MEDICATION

One should begin the treatment straightaway with over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen (i.e. Advil or Motrin) or naproxen. Aspirin should be avoided. Aspirin would aggravate the attack instead of providing relief. If you have already had a gout attack and your physician has recommended medications such as anti-inflammatories for future attacks, then do take that as soon as you feel that you are getting an attack. If you were given drugs to lower your uric acid, then keep taking those medications during this attack as well.

2. USE ICE

Immediate application of a cold pack may help comfort the pain as well as inflammation of the joint. One should apply the ice pack several times a day for about 20-30 minutes each to the painful joint. This will help with the inflammation and pain of the joint.

3. CALL THE DOCTOR

Call your doctor as soon as you get a gout attack. Your doctor might just give you medications or have a fluid test done for your joints or give you a corticosteroid injection for quick relief from the inflammation. The immediate 24 hours of a gout attack are very crucial, if treated correctly one can decrease the how long or severe the episode is.

4. TAKE OTHER STEPS

• Drink lots of fluids (water)
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Raise the height of your foot (if this is where the attack is)
• Relax as much as possible
• Take the toe part off your socks so that they are more comfortable for foot based gout

Our Physiotherapy Clinics Can Help

In most cases of gout such as flaring of the joint, treatment at a physiotherapist can be very helpful alongside your medication. Our team of healthcare professionals and specialists at our HealthMax Physiotherapy clinics are here to help. For more health advice and information just contact any of our Physiotherapy Clinics by phone at (416) 431-4000 or via our Contact Form. With our help you can easily manage this with as little impact as possible on your everyday activities and routine.