With proper treatment, most people with gout are able to control their symptoms and live productive lives.
The goals for treatment are to ease the pain that comes from sudden attacks, prevent future attacks, stop uric acid buildup in the tissues and joint space between two bones, and prevent kidney stones from forming.
The most common treatments for an attack of gout are high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which are taken by mouth, or corticosteroids, which are taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint. Patients often begin to improve within a few hours of treatment. The attack usually goes away completely within a week or so.
If NSAIDs or corticosteroids fail to control pain or swelling from gout, the doctor may consider using another drug, colchicine. This drug is most effective when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.
One goal of treatment for gout is to prevent the buildup of needle-like crystals of uric acid in connective tissue, in the joint space between two bones, or in both. One way to limit this buildup is by eating fewer foods that contain substances called purines. Examples of foods that contain purines are liver, dried beans and peas, anchovies, and gravies.
With the right treatment, most people with gout are able to control their symptoms and feel better. Treatment can help ease the pain that comes from sudden attacks, prevent future attacks, and stop kidney stones from forming.
