Tuesday, 09 July 2019

Control the Symptoms of Gout and Live a Productive Life

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that usually targets one joint at a time (generally the big toe, elbow or knee). Most people who suffer from gout will go through periods of painful flare-ups coupled with periods where there are no symptoms at all.

Men are more at risk of developing gout than women, and the risk of gout increases the older you get. Most people will experience their first flare-up before they reach the age of 50.   While there is no cure for gout, it can be treated, and the symptoms are often easily managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Below, we share a few tips on how to control the symptoms associated with the condition when caring for a loved one so that they can continue living a happy, productive life.

Limit Alcohol and Red Meat Consumption

The higher the uric acid levels in the blood, the more likely someone is to experience a gout flare-up. Eating or drinking food or fluids that are high in purines (a chemical compound that is harmless to most people) will increase the uric acid levels. These foods and drinks include alcohol and beer, in particular, red meat, seafood and foods which are high in saturated fats.

Lose Weight

Gout is more common in adults who are overweight, therefore, losing weight may help to prevent future flare-ups.

Manage the Pain

When experiencing an attack or flare-up, it is important to take medication to alleviate the pain and inflammation. Most medical professionals will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs include ibuprofen, prednisone and colchicine. Some doctors will also prescribe medication that will prevent future attacks by reducing the uric acid levels in the blood. These include allopurinol, probenecid, or febuxostat.

Treat Other Conditions

Many people who suffer from medical conditions like hypertension and diabetes may also suffer from gout. With this in mind, it is always recommended to have your loved one tested for these conditions upon receiving a gout diagnosis as treating them appropriately will likely prevent future attacks.

Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, like gout, are caused by raised uric acid levels in the body. Because of this, it is essential that medical professionals work to prevent kidney stones from forming in a person who has been diagnosed with gout.

TLC

If you provide elderly care at home and your loved one is in the throes of a gout flare-up, they’ll need plenty of extra care and attention. It’s a good idea to ice the affected joint and to keep it elevated. Also, be sure to encourage them to drink lots of water and rest as much as possible. Do everything that you can to reduce their stress, as stress and anxiety can worsen and extend flare-ups.

Keep Up the Positivity 

The good news is that most gout attacks don’t last more than 10 days. Follow all of the advice above, and they’ll be sure to be back on their feet and feeling like themselves again in no time at all!

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