Friday, 19 September 2008

Doctor Explains Treatments for Gout

By Nuch Sarita, VOA Khmer
Washington
19 September 2008

Khmer audio aired 18 September 2008 (5.09 MB) - Download (MP3)
Khmer audio aired 18 September 2008 (5.09 MB) - Listen (MP3)

The most important test to diagnose gouty arthritis is joint aspiration, a procedure whereby a sterile needle and syringe are used to drain joint fluid from the joint, a doctor said Thursday.

The fluid is examined to see if there are gout crystals or bacterial infection present, said Dr. Taing Tek Hong, as a guest on "Hello VOA.""Your doctor may obtain a blood sample to look at your cell counts [and] uric acid levels," he said.

Gout may be treated with Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve and Prednisone, he said, by decreasing uric acid in the joints.

A common side effect, stomach pain, can be alleviated by taking the medication with meals, he said.

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