When the pain is gone after an acute gout attack, do we need to continue treatment? Today, gout expert Dr. Zhou Guilan is here to answer this question.
The absence of pain after an acute attack of gout does not mean cure
Pain relief after an acute gout attack does not mean that the disease has been completely cured, so it is not recommended for patients to stop the drug immediately. Gout is a disease caused by purine metabolism disorders or uric acid excretion disorders, which are mainly manifested as hyperuricemia, recurrent attacks of gouty acute arthritis, and tophi deposition. Even if the pain is temporarily relieved, the high uric acid environment in the body remains, which can cause ongoing damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and joints.
Dr Chow emphasises that the treatment of gout is not only to relieve pain, but more importantly, to correct hyperuricemia and prevent damage to joints and kidneys caused by uric acid deposition. Therefore, after the acute exacerbation phase, patients still need to take uric acid-lowering drugs for continued treatment to stabilize serum uric acid levels. At the same time, patients should also gradually reduce the dosage of drugs under the guidance of doctors to avoid recurrence of the disease caused by sudden discontinuation of drugs.
Intermittent period of gout treatment, patient medication guidelines
During the interval between treatment for gout, patients should continue to take specific urate-lowering medications. There are two main categories of such drugs: one is drugs such as allopurinol and febuxostat that can effectively inhibit the production of uric acid; The other category is drugs such as sulfapyridone, probenecid, benzbromarone, etc., which can accelerate the excretion of uric acid. It is important that the use of these drugs should be started at least two weeks after the acute gout has subsided, and it is recommended to start at a lower dose and then gradually increase it.
In addition, in order to avoid recurrence of acute arthritis, patients with gout need to take low-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at least one month while taking uric acid-lowering drugs. Such a combination of treatments can effectively reduce the risk of another acute attack of gout.
At the same time, regular monitoring of blood uric acid levels is essential for patients with gout. Through monitoring, the dosage of the drug can be adjusted in time to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, thereby radically reducing the frequency of gouty arthritis. Patients should scientifically adjust the treatment plan according to the doctor's advice in order to achieve the best treatment effect.
Dietary guidelines for patients with gout: abstinence from alcohol and scientific diet
When faced with an acute attack of gout, poor drug response or chronic tophi arthritis, patients must remember that alcoholic beverages are a big no-no! In particular, beer and liquor, which not only affect the normal excretion of uric acid, also contain a high purine content in themselves.
Combined with the mainland's "Dietary Guidance for Patients with Hyperuricemia and Gout", a practical diet tip is provided:
1. Selection of dairy products
Choose skimmed or low-fat milk and its products, with a recommended daily intake of 300ml, which can not only meet nutritional needs, but also avoid excessive fat intake.
2. Egg intake
You can eat one egg a day to provide the body with the necessary protein and nutrients.
3. Vegetable feast
Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, at least 500g or more per day.
4. Staple food selection
It is advisable to choose those cereals that have less of an impact on blood sugar
5. Drink enough water every day
The total amount reaches at least 2000ml to help the body better excrete uric acid.