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Free Medical Advice sponsored by
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Got an ache or pain? Have a question about a prescription or over-the-counter drug? Looking for some FREE medical advice?
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Question:
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| Is it true that having higher uric acid levels in your blood can lead to sore feet - and gout? What medicine does one take for this? Can it be bought over-the-counter?
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Answer:
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| Thank you for your inquiry. It is true that high uric acid levels in your blood can lead to gout; but generally not to sore feet; gout tends to be selective about the joints it 'attacks' (big toe, ankle, knee etc.). Gout is a clinical syndrome when urate crystals are deposited within a joint (leading to an acute inflammatory response). The arthritis caused usually settles completely after time but recurs increasingly frequently. For acute gouty arthritis (you need to see your doctor and have blood tests to confirm if you do or do not have gout - buying OTC treatment is very unwise*) colchicine, noninflammatory steroids and corticosteroids are all effective. Today NSAIDs have become the drug of choice as they are rapidly effective in relieving pain, particularly if taken early in an attack. Indomethacin was the first drug used and while other NSAIDs are equally effective, there is none better than indomethacin. Gout in only one joint is readily treated by intra-articular corticosteroid injections. Colchicine is less favoured because of its slowness of action and the side effect of diarrhoea. From a dietary standpoint, avoid obesity, fasting, and dehydration. *It is preferable not to manage acute gout by starting drug treatment for both the acute arthritis and the high uric acid simultaneously; sudden reduction of serum uric acid by use of drugs that lower serum uric acid can precipitate further episodes of gouty arthritis. Hope this helps.
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