Effective Methods for Treating Gout

Feb 28, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Recently, a friend of mine developed gout. I would like to ask, what are some effective treatments for gout?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng

Effective treatments for gout mainly include the following aspects:

1. Dietary adjustment: Patients should limit intake of high-purine foods, such as meat (especially organ meats), seafood, and legumes, and increase consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. At the same time, maintaining a daily water intake of more than 2000ml helps promote uric acid excretion.

2. Lifestyle improvement: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive fatigue and strenuous exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can all help reduce gout attacks.

3. Medication: During acute gout attacks, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, or corticosteroids can quickly relieve pain and inflammation. For long-term control of uric acid levels, uric acid-lowering medications such as allopurinol or febuxostat can be used to reduce uric acid production, or uricosuric agents such as benzbromarone can be used to promote uric acid excretion.

4. Surgical treatment: For patients with extensive tophi or severe joint damage, surgery may be required to remove tophi or perform joint corrective procedures.

5. Monitoring and adjusting treatment plans: Regularly check serum uric acid levels and adjust medication dosages accordingly. Additionally, monitor kidney function, as long-term hyperuricemia may affect kidney health.

It should be noted that treatment plans should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition, including the severity of gout, frequency of attacks, coexisting diseases, and potential drug side effects. Therefore, it is recommended that treatment be conducted under the guidance of a qualified physician.