Anti inflammatories for gout are medications that decrease the swelling and inflammation in the joints and therefore help relieve the pain that is associated with gout. Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury or a disease, which is characterized by heat, swelling and redness, due to the increase of fluids and white blood cells that are moving to the affected area to fight the infection. Anti inflammation response occurs on a chemical, cellular or molecular level, either as a result of foods or with the assistance of various drugs.
Anti inflammatories for gout focus on preventing gout attacks and relieving the symptoms. Ibuprofen is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug known as a NSAID. Ibuprofen helps reduce hormones that cause inflammation in the joints that are damaged by gout, which reduces the pain. However, ibuprofen can increase the risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease. Patients should only take the recommended dosage. The maximum dosage for adults is eight hundred milligrams four times a day. Naproxen, another NSAID, is beneficial in reducing pain in gout attacks. Naproxen prevents the release and formation of chemicals that cause severe inflammation and pain in the body. It is used to treat arthritis, tendinitis and menstrual cramps. As it is stronger than ibuprofen, naproxen has been associated with life threatening circulation disorders. The suggested maximum dose is five hundred milligrams twice a day. Prednisone is a corticosteroid, used to reduce inflammation.
A very powerful drug, prednisone is given to patients who cannot tolerate the NSAIDs because of its dangerous side effects, including increased risk of infection and immune deficiency. This can be taken orally with a dosage starting at half milligram per day. Triamcinolone is also a corticosteroidal, which prevents the production of substances that are responsible for causing inflammation in the tissues damaged by gout. As it prevents the production of these pro inflammatory substances, triamcinolone helps reduce the inflammation and improves the patient’s mobility. Side effects include immune deficiency and thinning of the bones.
This can be administered with an injection of sixty milligrams daily into the large muscles of the thigh or shoulder. However, as a side effect, it can cause atrophy in these muscles. The NSAIDs reduce inflammation and relieve fever by blocking certain enzymes and proteins made by the body. Most common side effects include: stomach pain, heartburn, ulcers and skin rashes. These problems may be avoided if taken with food. Side effects that are less common are: confusion, swelling of face, body, calves and decrease in the amount of urine. The latter symptoms would most likely occur with older adults or those with other severe health issues.
Anti inflammatories for gout include vitamins and supplements. Vitamin C help decrease the level of uric acid in the blood, thus preventing gout attacks. The supplement bromelain is a natural anti inflammatory that helps relieve pain and swelling of gout. The ginger root has been used for centuries in Asia as a natural anti inflammatory. Fruit, such as berries and black cherries, contain natural inflammatories and are used as anti inflammatories for gout.