If you have Gout, you already understand how quickly attacks can come on and how painful they can be. If you want to deal with some of the symptoms at home, here’s what you can do:
Take medications early
For some people, Gout attacks come with warning signs. For example, some people experience tingling or soreness in their joints before a full attack comes on. If you do experience these kinds of warning signs, take medication as soon as you feel them.
(Your doctor likely prescribed an NSAID to deal with gout attacks, like Allopurinol, Canakinumab, Lesinurad, Pegloticase, Probenecid, or Rasburicase).
Cold compress
You can also try adding a cold compress to the area to soothe the pain. Wrap ice in a towel and ice the area for 20 minutes two times a day.
Rest
While it’s not always easy to get rest during a Gout attack, it can help alleviate pain. If for example, gout flares up in your big toe, try to stay off your feet for a few hours and elevate your leg.
Drink water
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in your body, and when you’re dehydrated your uric acid levels increase. To combat this problem, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day – and especially during an attack.
Watch your diet
Stay away from foods with high purines, like seafood, red meats, and fatty foods. All of these foods can raise your uric acid levels and make gout worse.
See your doctor
A doctor can help manage the symptoms of gout, but if your attacks are becoming more frequent, are lasting longer, or include a fever of the chills, you should schedule another appointment to revisit your current treatment plan. There may be different medications or dietary changes needed.
