How Can I Immediately Relieve Gout Symptoms?

Gout is a common disease, and its main causes include exposure to cold, exhaustion, staying up late, trauma, and high-purine diet. The primary manifestation of gout is acute arthritis, with the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe being the primary affected area. If not treated properly, multiple joints may be affected, leading to severe pain symptoms at night that pose significant harm to patients. So, how can gout be immediately relieved?

Firstly, the quickest way to relieve gout is through the use of analgesic medication, local cold compresses, topical application of Voltaren gel, and soaking the feet in herbal medicine. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may also include the administration of colchicine, sodium bicarbonate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid medications under the guidance of a doctor. In addition, it is recommended to avoid high-purine foods and promote uric acid excretion by drinking plenty of water. Herbal remedies such as corn silk, bamboo leaves, and moneywort can also be used as a tea substitute. Food therapy options include porridge made with coix seed or japonica rice.

Secondly, the most common symptom of gout is acute arthritis, with the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe being the most frequently affected area. Initially, it often involves a single joint, but can later affect multiple joints. Symptoms often occur at night and manifest as redness, swelling, heat, and severe pain in the affected joints, often waking the patient up and making it difficult to bear. Patients with chronic, untreated or irregularly treated arthritis can develop chronic gout with the formation of tophus around the joints. In some cases, patients with a longer duration of illness may also develop gouty nephropathy and uric acid nephrolithiasis. Additionally, some patients may only exhibit elevated blood uric acid levels without any symptoms, which is referred to as asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Thirdly, there are several factors that can trigger gout attacks, including:

1. Exposure to cold, especially during seasonal changes, can increase the risk of gout attacks.
2. Lifestyle factors such as staying up late and exhaustion can also increase the likelihood of gout attacks.
3. A high-purine diet can trigger gout attacks.
4. Trauma, stress reactions, surgery, and infections can also induce gout attacks.

It is important to identify and manage these triggers to effectively prevent and treat gout.