When seeking gout symptoms and treatment, you must visit your physician immediately to get it diagnosed and treated. The physician will begin gout treatment by conducting a physical examination and check your past medical history. Some tests will be required based on the diagnosis to check for the severity of the ailment. One of the main tests is the joint fluid aspiration test that checks for the presence of uric acid crystals in the joints. A blood and / or urine test could be done to check for uric acid levels in the body.

The main aim while treating gout is to reduce the joint pains using anti-inflammatory medication. Medication to reduce the levels of uric acid in the body could be prescribed. Besides the medications, you could help the cause by making suitable changes to your lifestyle. These lifestyle changes could be one or more of the following:

-- If you are overweight, get down to the proper weight and maintain it.
-- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
-- If you consume alcohol in excess, reduce your consumption.
-- Exercise in moderation daily.
-- During the cold months, always keep your hands and feet well covered and warm. Gout attacks are very common during the cold months.
Never ignore gout symptoms. Ask your physician for information on curing gout and what best you can do to minimize the risk of gout recurrence.