How to Alleviate Gout
Disease description:
I have been deeply troubled by gout, experiencing severe joint pain during flare-ups, especially in the toes and ankles. I am now cautious about my diet and avoid strenuous exercise. I would like to know how I can better relieve gout symptoms?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Gout is a disease caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism in the body, mainly manifested as joint pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness. To alleviate gout symptoms, the following are common relief methods:
1. Dietary adjustments: Avoid high-purine foods such as organ meats, seafood, and red meat. Reduce alcohol consumption, especially beer. Eat more vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, which can help lower uric acid levels.
2. Increase fluid intake: Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to help eliminate uric acid from the body.
3. Weight management: Being overweight increases the risk of gout attacks. Proper weight control has a positive effect on preventing gout.
4. Medication: During acute gout attacks, medications such as colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to relieve pain and inflammation. In the chronic phase, uric acid-lowering medications such as allopurinol tablets and febuxostat tablets can be used to reduce uric acid production and accumulation.
5. Lifestyle modifications: Maintain regular eating and sleeping habits, avoid strenuous exercise or sudden exposure to cold, quit smoking and alcohol consumption, and manage weight to prevent overweight or obesity.
