What are the treatment methods for gout?

Gout is a metabolic disease caused by hyperuricemia, mainly manifested as arthritis, tophi, and uric acid nephropathy. The goals of gout treatment are to control acute attacks, prevent recurrence, lower serum uric acid levels, and prevent complications. Below are some methods for treating gout:

1. Lifestyle modifications: Control diet and avoid high-purine foods such as organ meats, bone marrow, and seafood. Increase intake of alkaline foods such as bananas, broccoli, and celery. Drink plenty of water—at least 2,000 to 3,000 ml daily—to help excrete uric acid. Maintain a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.

2. Cold compress therapy: During the early stage of a gout attack, cold compresses can be used to relieve pain. However, care should be taken not to apply the cold compress for too long to avoid frostbite.

3. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): TCM treatment focuses on clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and reducing swelling and pain. Commonly used Chinese herbs include Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai), Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhi Mu), and Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu). Treatment should be conducted under a doctor's guidance.

4. Pharmacological treatment: During acute attacks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids are commonly used options. These medications help reduce inflammation and pain. For long-term management, uric acid-lowering drugs such as allopurinol and febuxostat are used to lower serum uric acid levels and prevent recurrent gout attacks.