Gout shows up as a sudden, very painful attack in one joint — most often the big toe. That pain comes from uric acid crystals building up in the joint and triggering inflammation. It can strike at night, make walking impossible, and leave you anxious about the next episode. Good news: you can ease a flare quickly and cut future attacks with medicines and small lifestyle changes.
If a flare starts, act fast. Rest the joint and keep it raised when possible. Apply a cold pack for 10–20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Drink water to stay hydrated — dehydration can make uric acid build up faster. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen often reduce pain and swelling if you can take them safely. If NSAIDs aren’t an option or the pain is severe, contact your doctor: they may prescribe colchicine or a short course of oral steroids.
Avoid aspirin during a flare unless your doctor says otherwise, and don’t drink alcohol — especially beer — while symptoms are active. If you already take blood pressure or diabetes meds, check with your clinician before adding new drugs for a flare to avoid interactions.
Preventing future attacks focuses on lowering blood uric acid and removing triggers. Doctors often prescribe long-term urate-lowering drugs like allopurinol or febuxostat when you have frequent attacks or tophi. These medicines lower uric acid so crystals slowly dissolve and attacks stop. It can take months to see full benefits, so stay on the plan and get regular blood tests.
Simple everyday moves help a lot. Cut back on high-purine foods — red meat, organ meats, and many shellfish — and avoid sugary drinks. Limit alcohol, especially beer. Add low-fat dairy, whole grains, vegetables, and cherries or tart cherry juice if you like them; some people find cherries reduce attack risk. Losing even a little weight if you’re overweight lowers uric acid and eases joint stress.
Also watch kidney health and common medicines. Some blood pressure drugs raise uric acid while others (like losartan) may help lower it. If you have kidney disease, your doctor will adjust treatment and targets.
When should you see a doctor? If a flare is unusually severe, lasts more than a week despite treatment, or if you have fevers, call your provider. Also see a clinician if you have two or more attacks a year — that’s when urate-lowering therapy is worth discussing. Regular follow-ups and simple blood checks keep treatment safe and effective.
Gout is manageable. Fast care for flares, smarter daily choices, and the right long-term medicines make painful attacks much less frequent. Talk to your doctor to build a plan that fits your health and lifestyle.
© 2025. All rights reserved.
