Patient's question:
I am 53 years old. Recently, as I have gotten older, I have been experiencing leg pain. I have previously visited the immunology department, but the effect was not significant. I have taken both Chinese and Western medicine, especially when the weather changes, I feel uncomfortable. How is chronic gouty arthritis treated?Doctor's answer:
Gouty arthritis must be treated with anti-inflammatory and blood-activating measures during the acute inflammatory phase. Some patients experience long-term, recurrent attacks, and oral medications fail to relieve the symptoms. In such cases, it is necessary to visit the hospital for intravenous injections of anti-inflammatory and blood-activating drugs, as well as corticosteroids, to alleviate the early joint inflammation. Once the joint inflammation is controlled, it is essential to lower uric acid levels. Medications such as allopurinol, benzbromarone, and febuxostat can be taken. Among these, febuxostat is the most effective in lowering uric acid levels. Additionally, dietary restrictions are necessary to avoid foods high in purines.