How to manage gout effectively

Although there are things you can try that might naturally prevent a gout attack, treating a flare up once it starts involves controlling pain and inflammation in the affected joint.

Often, common over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are recommended, as they work fast to control swelling.

Gout attacks trigger an immune response that increases prostaglandin production, fat-based chemical messengers that are produced whenever you have inflammation.

NSAIDs work by blocking your body from making prostaglandins when uric acid crystals are deposited in joints during a gout attack. By stopping prostaglandin production, NSAIDs calm this automatic inflammatory response down, which can help to ease pain and swelling during a gout flare up.

There are other prescription-strength NSAIDs that are used to manage gout which are stronger than ibuprofen, such as Naproxen, which can be taken as tablets or as an oral solution. As well as being used to treat gout, Naproxen is also prescribed for dental or muscle issues, or conditions like ankylosing spondylitis which affect joints in the back and neck.

Another option for treating gout flare ups is Colchicine, which treats inflammation by reducing the activation of white blood cells during an attack. Colchicine usually starts to work within thirty minutes to two hours of taking it, but it can sometimes take a couple of days to start reducing your pain effectively.