Is gout easy to treat? What methods are used?
I previously heard that elderly people are prone to gout. I'd like to ask the doctor, is gout easy to treat, and what methods are used?
Doctor's answer (1)
In general, gout is relatively easy to treat in its early stages. If patients actively cooperate with their doctors and undergo standardized treatment—including dietary adjustments, lifestyle improvements, use of analgesic medications, and urate-lowering therapies—clinically effective outcomes can usually be achieved. However, if gout progresses to its advanced stages with complications such as joint deformities and tophi accumulation, the treatment becomes more challenging and may require surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms.
The goals of gout treatment are to control acute attacks, prevent recurrence, lower serum uric acid levels, and avoid complications. Treatment mainly involves medication and lifestyle modifications:
1. Pharmacological treatment: During acute attacks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, or corticosteroids may be used to relieve symptoms. For long-term management, urate-lowering drugs such as allopurinol or febuxostat—which inhibit uric acid synthesis—or benzbromarone—which promotes uric acid excretion—are used to maintain serum uric acid levels within the target range.
2. Lifestyle modifications: Limit intake of high-purine foods and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; drink adequate amounts of water—at least 2 liters daily; maintain a healthy weight; avoid alcohol consumption, especially beer; and engage in regular physical activity to improve overall fitness.
