Gout Attacks: Here’s What You Need to Know
You cannot, unfortunately, do anything for your foot and ankle when a gout attack starts, because your body has to deal with its symptoms at its own pace. You can, fortunately, adopt several things to care for yourself at home during a gout flare.
In a gout attack, uric acid builds up around the affected joint that, in turn, results in the formation of uric crystals; the build-up of uric crystals results in the intense pain experienced during the flare-up. You cannot have a gout attack unless you already have higher than normal uric acid levels in your body. Your gout attacks can be triggered by several factors including food, stress and medications, among others.
In many cases, you should call your doctor to let him know you are having a flare-up, without making a clinical visit. But when you experience one or several of the following things, then you should make an appointment as soon as possible to avoid serious complications:
- You are apparently experiencing your first gout flare-up. Bear in mind that there are several other medical conditions, such as a joint infection, which have similar symptoms to a gout attack.
- You have a high fever accompanied by chills. Gout attacks may include a low-grade fever but a high-grade fever is a cause for concern since you may have an infection.
- Your symptoms are either not improving after 48 hours, especially with home care methods, or not ending after a week. Your physician will likely recommend a different treatment approach.
Note: Go to a clinic with doctors that specialize in gout management, such as the Healthpointe clinic at Corona that also accepts patients from Norco, Home Gardens, Mira Loma, and Pedley.
Fortunately, most gout flare-ups will resolve by themselves within 7 to 10 days without treatment. You can, however, ease the severity and duration of your gout attack by adopting the following home care methods.
- Take your medicine as directed by your physician as soon as the first signs of your gout flare-up begin.
- Ask your doctor about taking medications that help in preventing gout attacks. Your doctor may recommend febuxostat, allopurinol, colchicines, and probenecid.
- Apply either a cold pack or cold compress on the affected joint for 20-30 minutes several times a day.
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid purine-rich foods like organ meats, fatty foods, and seafood as well as sweetened drinks and alcoholic beverages.
- Rest the affected joint.
Gout may not have a 100% cure but you can manage it!
Come to any of our clinics, such as the Garden Grove Healthpointe clinic for your needs; the clinic is near Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster, too.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Garden Grove by Stanton, Santa Ana, and Westminster. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.