Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid buildup in the bloodstream leading to uric acid crystals accumulating around the joints. Gout usually affects the big toe but it can affect other joints in the body.
Acute gout flare-ups can be dealt with quickly using a combination of medicines, home remedies and physiological mechanisms and tips.
While chronic gout takes time to deal with and manage over a period of years, acute gout attacks can be dealt with quickly.
At Meds For Less, you can buy gout medication to help deal with acute attacks relatively quickly. You can buy these medicines easily, reliably and conveniently from our website.
What Is Gout and What Causes It?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess uric acid build up in the bloodstream leading to needle shaped uric acid crystals accumulating around the joints. Gout typically affects the big toe (hallux) but it can also affect other joints such as the ankles, knees, wrists and fingers.
Some of the causes of gout include:
- High uric acid levels (Hyperuricemia) – caused by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid is the breakdown product of purines, a particular component of proteins.
- Diet – Foods high in purines such as red meats, organ meats, seafoods (like anchovies or sardines) and alcohol (especially beers and spirits) can increase uric acid levels in the bloodstream.
- Obesity – Being Obese and Overweight can lead to high uric acid production and decrease kidney excretion
- Medications like diuretics (water pills), aspirin and chemotherapy drugs can raise uric acid levels
- Genetics – a family history of gout can increase the risk of developing it.
How to Get Fast Relief from Gout in 10 Minutes
While there is no instant cure or gout fast treatment in 10 minutes; or a way to cure gout instantly, there are methods, like some of the following that can help treat inflammation and be an answer to how to stop pain quickly (as seen in image 1).
Applying a Cold Compress
Ice packs and cold compress can be a quick remedy for gout pain, it can help numb pain, reduce swelling and soothe inflammation when placed on the joint for 10-15 minutes.
Staying Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help flush the uric acid in the system out faster and help avoid build up. This can also be an answer to how to cure a gout attack quickly when it does occur.
Elevating the Affected Joint
Keeping the foot or affected joint raised adobe the heart level can reduce blood flow and circulation to the joint and lower inflammation and be one answer on how to cure gout quickly and naturally.
Using Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
NSAIDs like Ibuprofen or Naproxen can quickly reduce pain and inflammation, being an immediate remedy for gout pain. Avoid aspirin as it can worsen gout symptoms and increase uric acid levels.
Avoiding Foods High in Purines
Avoiding foods high in purines is essential for long term gout management but it won’t provide immediate relief in 10 minutes. However, avoiding foods high in purines like organ meats, red meat, seafood or alcohol are necessary to prevent future attacks and uric acid build up.
Image 1: These methods can help relieve swelling and inflammation in joints like the toe affected by gout.
Top Home Remedies for Immediate Gout Pain Relief
If you’re experiencing a gout attack and need immediate relief or a gout quick fix, some of these home remedies can help reduce pain and inflammation quickly.
Drinking Cherry Juice
Eating cherries or drinking tart cherry juice can help lower uric acid levels. Studies suggest that cherries have anti-inflammatory processes that can ease gout pain.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Mixing 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with water and drinking can help neutralize uric acid levels and lower inflammation.
Baking Soda for Uric Acid Reduction
Mixing ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drinking it can help alkalise the body and make uric acid easier to excrete.
Medications for Instant Gout Relief
For instant gout relief, the fast and most effective medications target pain, inflammation and uric acid levels.
NSAIDs for Inflammation
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) can help lower inflammation and provide quick treatment for gout, examples include:
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Indomethacin (Prescription needed for gout)
AVOID aspirin as it can worsen gout by raising uric acid levels
Colchicine for Acute Gout Attacks
Prescription colchicine works best when taken in the first 14-24 hours of an attack. It starts working immediately and the full effect is visible in 24 hours, allowing quick gout pain relief.
Corticosteroids for Severe Cases
Corticosteroids are used for severe cases of pain and swelling. The most common steroid that is used is oral prednisolone or methylprednisolone.
If oral prednisolone is not effective, triamcinolone injections can be injected into the joint space for a fast remedy for gout. The effect is immediately imminent, showing a reduction in pain and swelling.
Steroid injections provide near instant relief where oral steroids work in a few hours
When to See a Doctor for Gout
You should see a doctor for gout if the pain in your joints does not improve after 24 hours despite medications or other anti-inflammatory responses, if multiple joints are affected or if attacks happen frequently.
Severe Pain or Frequent Attacks
You should highly consider seeing a doctor for gout treatment if the pain is intense and unmanageable even after taking over the counter medications like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. If the pain lasts for more than 24-48 hours during an attack without the use of relief, that is also another sign that you need to see a doctor.
Symptoms of Complications (e.g., Kidney Stones)
Experiencing complications of gout such as kidney stones, severe lower back pain, blood in urine or trouble urinating can be a sign that your condition has spread/ advanced significantly. Experiencing symptoms of complications is a sign that you should seek medical advice from a doctor.
Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments for Gout Prevention
Making the right diet and lifestyle choice changes can significantly reduce gout attacks and lower uric acid levels. These changes can include eating low purine foods, avoiding high purine foods, staying well hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol and sugary drinks.
Foods to Avoid
Foods to avoid for those with gout include high-purine foods such as:
- Red and Organ meats such as Beef, lamb, pork, liver and kidneys
- Seafoods like sardines, anchovies, tuna, mackerel and shellfish
- Alcoholic drinks like wine, liquor and particularly beer
- Sugary drinks such as soda, fruit juices and energy drinks
While avoiding purine rich foods, it is also important to include low purine foods in your diet. These foods can include:
- Fruits and Vegetables such as cherries, berries, oranges, leafy greens and bell peppers
- Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats and whole wheat bread
- Low Fat Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese
- Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, tofu and eggs
- Nuts and Seeds such as Almonds, walnuts and flaxseeds.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Being overweight increases uric acid production and increases the risk of gout. Losing even 5-10% of body weight can help reduce flare ups. Lifestyle adjustments like low-impact exercises (swimming and cycling) can help manage weight loss without stressing joints.
Limiting Alcohol and Sugary Drinks
Limiting alcohol and sugary drinks like beer and liquour can help reduce the spikes in uric acid levels. If you’re looking for tasty beverages you might consider opting for water, herbal teas or lemon water instead.
Can Gout Be Cured Permanently?
There is no permanent cure for gout but it can be effectively managed to the point where you may never experience another attack. Gout is caused by high uric acid levels which can be effectively controlled through medications, diet and lifestyle changes.
However, without proper management, gout can lead to joint damage and chronic gout can lead to very frequent flare ups.
Some tips to prevent gout attacks permanently:
- Keep uric acid levels low, ideally below 6mg/dL or 5mg/dL (for severe cases).
Monitor uric acid levels regularly with blood tests
- Take uric acid lowering medications if needed such as:
- Allopurinol – which helps prevent future attacks by lowering uric acid
- Febuxostat – suitable alternative if allopurinol is not available
- Probenecid – Helps kidneys remove uric acid
- Follows a low-purine diet:
- Eat fruits,vegetables, whole grains, nuts or low dairy product
- Avoid Red Meat, seafood (sardines, tuna), alcohol, sugary drinks
- Stay Hydrated
- Drink 8-12 glasses of water to flush out uric acid
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Excess weight can increase uric acid production, Losing 5-10% of body weight can help
- Exercise regularly using low impact activities like swimming, walking and cycling
- Manage stress and sleep well
With mild cases of gout, these can be managed well through diet and lifestyle alone. For chronic gout or tophi, you may need long-term medication to prevent future attacks and joint damage.