Since gout is affected to some extent by lifestyle, patients should be encouraged to initiate some management themselves. They may need to avoid or limit their consumption of alcoholic beverages, and should maintain a normal weight, get sufficient exercise, and try to avoid using drugs that are not absolutely necessary, as they may elevate the uric acid level. Coping with arthritis Arthritis should be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician. The first place to start is with a family doctor, either a general practitioner or an internist. He may refer the patient to a rheumatologist or, in some cases, to an orthopedic surgeon.
Proper exercise is also very important.
Therapeutic exercises, individually prescribed for the specific condition, are essential not only for the maintenance of joint function, but also for strengthening the muscles that support the joints. Long-handled combs, shoehorns, kitchen utensils, and heightened chairs and toilet seats are just a few examples. Clothes are available without buttons, snaps, or hooks, which are sometimes impossible to manipulate with stiff, swollen hands.