Gout attacks can be excruciating. While a flare can last for several days, some people may experience an attack that lingers for two weeks or more. Gout, an inflammatory form of arthritis, causes crystals of uric acid to accumulate around the joints, resulting in recurring joint discomfort, swelling, and pain.
Why Does Gout Develop?
The disease is characterized by the presence of too much uric acid in the body. While everyone’s liver breaks down purines into uric acid, the liver in people with gout creates an excess amount. As a result, the crystals that can’t be filtered by the kidney and excreted in the urine begin to build up. This buildup can affect any joint in the body, but most commonly occurs in the ankles, feet, wrists, hands, and elbows.
Consuming foods high in purines on a regular basis can cause excess uric acid build-up. These foods include red meats, sugary snacks and drinks, certain seafoods, and alcoholic beverages.
Those with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, and obesity are at a higher risk of developing gout. People with a family history of gout are also more likely to experience symptoms. Additionally, men and postmenopausal women have been shown to have an increased risk.
Treating Chronic Gout
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for swelling and pain, as well as corticosteroids, may all help to alleviate the symptoms of chronic gout. There are also medications on the market that aid in the reduction of uric acid levels throughout the body.
Dietary changes can also help reduce uric acid levels in the body. Your medical professional may suggest incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet and limiting foods high in purines.
If you experience one or more gout attack each year, it’s possible that changing your diet or taking pain pills will not be enough–you may need to lower uric acid levels with a stronger course of treatment.
Krystexxa Gout Infusion Therapy
Krystexxa is a powerful IV medication for treating chronic gout that has been authorized by the FDA. After completing infusions every other week (on average, six months in duration), patients have reported a reduction in flares and have shown significant decreases in uric acid levels.
InfuseAble Care is an established Gout Center of Excellence for patients seeking Krystexxa infusion therapy to find relief from chronic gout. We’re the quickest in the industry at getting referred patients started on treatment, and offers on-site uric acid lab testing for same-day results and treatment. This means you won’t have to worry about scheduling an outside lab appointment for uric acid results prior to your infusion. We also provide attentive case management — our patients can expect contact from our intake team within 24 hours of our receipt of referral.
Our nurses are specially trained to treat chronic gout with Krystexxa and will guide you through the entire process; from your infusion appointment, to helping you manage costs, and insurance questions.
If you require Krystexxa infusion therapy, simply contact your doctor and ask for a referral to InfuseAble Care. We are conveniently located at 8 locations across Arizona, and our walk-up parking and comfortable amenities provide patients with a state-of-the-art treatment environment.
Have your referring provider submit an InfuseAble Care referral at https://www.infuseablecare.com/provider-services/order-forms/.
