Keep the affected joint elevated as much as possible while you ice it. This will help to avoid the blood settling in the area that is being iced.
However, avoid any aspirin or topical aspirin products (eg. Aspercreme or any topical cream with salicylates). Aspirin products can cause more uric acid to deposit in the joints. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is not an anti-inflammatory medicine and is not likely to help. You could also take colchicine, but you may need a prescription from a doctor for that medication. For chronic control of gouty flares, you should take allopurinol, which decreases the amount of uric acid in the body. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Capsaicin cream: Capsaicin is a substance derived from cayenne peppers that depletes Substance P — a pain signal. Make sure you wash your hands well after applying capsaicin — it can cause an intense burning sensation, especially if it gets near your eyes. Homeopathic creams: These include Topricin, which contains a mixture of homeopathic pain remedies. Gout relief ointment: Tanza Botanicals has a Gout Relief Ointment that is made of a number of pain-relieving herbs.
You may be more comfortable, at least the first night, sleeping in an armchair or a recliner where you can keep the joint elevated. If the gouty pain is in your toe, ankle, or knee, it may be best not to use a blanket or to tent the area over the joint if you can.
Make sure you avoid tobacco, in addition to avoiding any purine-rich food or beverage. Some purine-rich foods are red meats, anchovies, shellfish, fatty fish, asparagus, spinach, and most dry beans. [7] X Research source Avoiding these foods will help you sleep more soundly. Keep drinking plenty of water. While this won’t necessarily help you sleep in the immediate sense, but it will help flush out the uric acid that has built up. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed can help you relax and get ready for sleep. [8] X Expert Source Alex Dimitriu, MDSleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional Expert Interview. 16 October 2019.
If you are taking NSAIDs, try to take them with food, such as yogurt or peanut butter crackers. Eating will help to coat your stomach and reduce the likelihood of your developing ulcers or a gastrointestinal bleed.
Get up and go to bed at the same time every day. Don’t force sleep; if you can’t fall asleep, do something else until you’re tired. Resolve conflicts before you go to bed. Don’t have any alcohol or tobacco before you go to bed. Try to exercise in the morning, and do not exercise fewer than four hours before you go to sleep. [9] X Expert Source Alex Dimitriu, MDSleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional Expert Interview. 16 October 2019.
Your doctor may also take a sample of joint fluid to look for characteristic uric acid crystals, run a blood test to measure the amounts of uric acid, or get an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan, though the imaging tests are rarely used. [10] X Trustworthy Source Arthritis Foundation Main organization devoted to arthritis support and education Go to source
Allopurinol can cause skin rashes, cause anemia, and can sometime increase joint pain. People of Asian and African heritage have a higher risk of skin rashes with allopurinol. Allopurinol is used to treat only chronic gout. It does not treat acute gout. If you are suffering from acute gout, you should take colchicine to relieve your symptoms, as allopurinol will not be very effective. [11] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Febuxostat can significantly alter liver enzymes. [12] X Research source This drug is also used only for chronic gout. Probenecid can cause headaches, joint pain, and rapid breathing. [13] X Research source Other medications used include prescription NSAIDs such as indomethacin (Indocin) or celecoxib (Celebrex). Steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and colchicine (Colcrys, Mitigare) can also be prescribed. Colchicine is an older drug that is less frequently used because of significant side effects.
Alcohol Sugary soft drinks Fatty foods, such as fried foods, butter, margarine, and high-fat dairy products. Organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads (brain)). These foods have the highest levels of purines. Beef, chicken, pork,bacon, veal, venison. Anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout, haddock, crab, oyster, lobster, shrimp
Phytate rich foods: Phytate is a substance that seems to prevent the formation of many types of kidney stones, including those with uric acid. Phytate rich foods include beans, legumes, and whole grains. You should include 2-3 servings of beans, legumes, and grains every day. Green tea: Green tea decreases the risk of uric acid-containing kidney stones. Drink about 2-3 cups of green tea a day. Calcium-rich foods: Calcium-rich foods to include in your diet are low-fat dairy products. Tart cherry juice: Tart cherry juice has long been used in naturopathic medicine to treat gout and kidney stones. If you have an attack of gout, drink 3-4 8 ounce glasses or organic tart cherry juice every day. This should provide some relief within 12-24 hours.
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapples. It is often used to help treat digestive issues, but in gout, it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Folate, a B vitamin, inhibits the same enzyme (xanthine oxidase) that the anti-gout drug allopurinol inhibits, thus reducing uric acid levels. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that also inhibits xanthine oxidase. Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) has been traditionally used to treat gout by reducing uric acid levels. Anyone with gout should avoid supplemental Vitamin C or niacin. Both these vitamins may increase uric acid levels.
Intense pain at joints. Most commonly at the base of the big toe. The joint involved can also be the feet, ankles, knees and wrists. Gout usually only affects one joint at a time, but can affect many joints, especially if the underlying cause of gout is not addressed. Joint discomfort after the initial attack. Redness and other signs of inflammation, for example warmth, swelling and tenderness. Decreased ability to move at the affected joint.
Beer and liquor Sugary soft drinks Fatty foods (fried foods, butter, margarine, high-fat dairy products) Organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads (brain)) Beef, chicken, pork,bacon, veal, venison (Red meats are high in purines. White meats such as chicken and pork are low and in moderation are safe. Directly from gout pamphlet from dietary articles) Asparagus is also high in purines. Anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, codfish,scallops, trout, haddock, crab, oyster, lobster, shrimp
Obesity or being overweight Untreated high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart and kidney disease Medications, including thiazide diuretics (water pills), low dose aspirin, immunosuppressant drugs Family history of gout Recent surgery or trauma: If you control the amount of purines in your diet, but drop a heavy object on your toe, this could still trigger an acute attack.
