Gout is a medical condition characterized by joint pain, swelling, and increased temperature. It is a sub-type of arthritis that mainly affects feet, knee and big toe joints. Proper medication, lifestyle management, and care are needed for managing gout in older people.

This article will discuss the main tips for managing gout in the elderly.

Tips for Gout in the Elderly

Medication

Older people need proper medical treatment to manage gout. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Naproxen or ibuprofen, are mainly prescribed. Corticosteroids can also reduce joint pain and inflammation and are taken by mouth (orally) or intramuscular injections. Colchicine reduces inflammation and pain if taken within 24 hours after a gout attack.

Probenecid, Febuxostat, Allopurinol, or Pegloticase are prescribed if the blood uric acid levels are higher than the normal range. These medications can decrease the levels of uric acid in the body, not the symptoms. That’s why these medications are not prescribed during an acute attack.

Dietary changes

Older people who have Gout need to take a diet with low purine levels, such as low-fat dairy products, vegetables, whole grains, non-soy legumes, fruit, fruit juices, coffee, tea, and eggs.

They should avoid red meat, organ meat such as kidney, liver, turkey, fish, seafood, sugary drinks, high fructose corn syrups, alcohol, whisky, and beer.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is a healthy way to live a healthy life. If elders get Gout, they must do exercises that are light on the heart, such as walking or swimming—strength exercise or training to strengthen muscles.

Lose weight

Weight-bearing joints are more commonly affected by gout than the others. Losing weight can decrease the intensity of symptoms of gout.

Proper hydration

Excessive water intake can help the kidney remove uric acid from the body. Elders should increase their intake of water daily to prevent complications. The recommended water intake for the elderly is about 1.7 liter per 24 hours.

Joint and foot care

Elders should not put extra pressure and weight on the affected joints. They must do light activity to keep the joint active. Moreover, light foot massage is usually advised to decrease swelling and improve mobility of the joint. Wearing medicated footwear, and compression stocking can also decrease the joint pain and associated swelling.

Home remedies

Following drinks and foods are usually suggested for gout patients as these can help decrease the uric acid levels in the body.

 

  • Milk thistle seeds
  • Nettle tea
  • Tart cherries
  • Ginger
  • Celery
  • Diluted apple cider vinegar

Conclusion

The accumulation of uric acid crystals inside a joint lead to gout, which usually occurs due to excessive consumption of high-purine foods like meat, fish, sugary drinks, and high-fructose syrups. Uric acid lowering drugs and NSAIDs are the main stay of treatment. In addition, lifestyle management such as avoidance of purine-containing foods, regular exercise, and hydration can help manage the disease in elderly.