Gout

Gout is a disease where the goal is to maintain remission rather than achieve a cure. By taking allopurinol or febuxostat to continuously maintain blood uric acid levels below 6.0 mg/dL (below 5.0 if tophi is present), the crystals within the joints gradually dissolve. During the first 3 to 6 months of treatment, attacks may actually become more frequent during the crystal dissolution process, so colchicine or anti-inflammatory drugs are used prophylactically in conjunction. Long-term remission rates increase when dietary, alcohol, and weight control are combined. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, the long-term management of gout depends on restoring digestive and kidney functions and eliminating the environment where heat-related waste products accumulate. In initial treatment, the priority is to soothe acute heat and toxins and clear the pathways of Qi and blood. Subsequently, during periods without attacks, herbal medicine tailored to the body's condition is used to strengthen digestive function and replenish kidney energy, thereby raising the threshold for recurrence. Based on Dongjedang's experience, patients who receive consistent Korean medicine treatment combined with dietary guidance tend to see a gradual increase in the interval between attacks and a decrease in intensity. Korean medicine treatment is also expected to play a complementary role in reducing the need for long-term use of Western uric acid-lowering medications.