Managing Gout Long Term

Once you've worked with your healthcare professional to manage the immediate pain of a gout attack, it's time to talk about how to reduce your risk of future gout attacks and manage your gout over the long term. Gout's underlying cause is a high level of uric acid in the blood. If uric acid levels remain high, crystals can form and build up silently in your joints, even between flares. Over time, this may lead to attacks in other joints, constant pain, and joint destruction. Talk to your doctor about ways to keep uric acid at a lower, healthy level.

The Goal: Less Than 6 mg/dL

Reducing uric acid levels to less than 6 mg/dL is the goal for managing gout over the long term. If you don't know your uric acid levels, you may want to ask your healthcare professional about including a simple blood test to measure your uric acid level during your next office visit.

Higher risk of future attacks Lower risk of future attacks

Decreasing uric acid level to less than 6mg/dL is the goal for managing gout over the long term

Gout Management Plan

Talk to your healthcare professional about a comprehensive treatment plan. The best plan for you may include making healthy lifestyle changes, taking pain medicines when you're flaring and having your uric acid levels monitored by your healthcare professional. Your plan may also include taking medication to help lower your uric acid level.

Currently there are two types of medication available by prescription to lower the amount of uric acid in your blood. They are:

• Medication to help reduce the production of excess uric acid
• Medication to help your kidneys get rid of excess uric acid

Talk to your healthcare professional about your options to help lower your high uric acid.

For information about a possible treatment option, please click here.

Ongoing Discussion With Your Doctor

Remember, in helping you manage gout over the long term, your healthcare professional needs as much information as possible. It's a good idea to discuss your gout with your healthcare professional on an ongoing basis. With our Gout Conversation Card, you can get some key questions to share with your healthcare professional at your next appointment. Download it now.

Next: Healthy Lifestyle Changes