There are various choices of gout drugs that you can try, both natural to medical drugs. The working principle of gout drugs is generally divided into 2 ways, namely to relieve pain and reduce the buildup of uric acid levels in the body.
Gout is an inflammation of the joints that occurs due to a buildup of uric acid in the blood. This disease is characterized by severe joint pain that attacks suddenly and lasts a long time. Joints may also experience swelling and stiffness.
Symptoms of gout often affect the joints in the legs, but sometimes it can also affect other parts of the body, including the hands.
Symptoms caused by gout can be so annoying that it affects daily activities. In fact, this disease is more experienced by men aged 30-50 years who are classified as still productive. Therefore, the use of gout drugs is very important so that complaints due to this condition can be resolved.
Natural Gout Medicine
Before meeting with a doctor, there are several natural gout medications that you can try to relieve gout. This natural gout drug works by lowering blood uric acid levels, thereby reducing the risk of attacks. Here are some of them:
1. Coffee
The benefits of coffee as a natural gout remedy have been supported by many studies. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid which can increase the excretion of uric acid through urine. In addition, coffee is also thought to be able to block the work of enzymes that produce uric acid, so that blood uric acid levels decrease.
However, consider using coffee if you also have a health condition that requires you to limit your consumption of this drink, such as high blood pressure or arrhythmias.
2. Fruits rich in antioxidants
Dark fruit like grapes, blackberry, blueberries, and raspberries It helps to keep uric acid levels under control. Cherries are also considered effective in lowering uric acid levels, while reducing the risk of gout attacks.
3. Foods rich in vitamin C
Eating foods rich in vitamin C in sufficient quantities can reduce uric acid levels in the blood. This vitamin has special properties that can increase the excretion of uric acid through the urine, so that blood uric acid levels also decrease.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture techniques are believed to suppress the production of uric acid in the body and prevent gout attacks. However, further research is needed on the benefits of acupuncture as a natural gout remedy. Even so, the benefits of acupuncture to relieve chronic pain and arthritis have been proven, so it can be useful for people with gout.
Medical Gout Medicine
In addition to natural gout drugs, there are also medical gout medications that may be prescribed by a doctor to reduce the buildup of uric acid levels in the blood. Following are some of them:
1. Allopurinol
Allopurinol is a gout drug that is commonly prescribed to reduce the buildup of uric acid levels in the blood. Usually, this drug will be prescribed in a low dose first, which is 100-300 mg per day. If your uric acid level is still high, your doctor may increase the dose of this drug.
2. Febuxostat
Febuxostat is also a gout drug that works to reduce the production of the amount of uric acid the body produces. Just like allopurinol, febuxostat prescribing will also start from a low dose first, which is 80 mg per day. If needed, the doctor may increase the dose of this drug.
3. Probenecid
Probenecid is also one type of drug that is widely used to reduce uric acid levels in the blood. The initial dose of probenecid that is generally given by doctors to treat gout is 250 mg taken 2 times a day. If the level of uric acid in the blood is still high, the doctor may increase the dose of this drug.
If there is a sudden gout attack, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin can also control inflammation and pain in joints with gout.
Prevents Gout
Lifestyle changes are needed to prevent attacks and reduce the severity of gout. The following steps can help make lifestyle changes to prevent gout, namely:
- Limiting the intake of high-purine foods, such as red meat and seafood
- Avoid drinks containing alcohol and sugary drinks high in sugar, especially fructose
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water or 2 liters a day
- Maintaining an ideal body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise
If you have gout and want to use the gout medication above, either natural or medical, you should first consult a doctor. That way, the gout treatment you are taking can be more effective.