South Dakota Medication Aide Practice Test

Corticosteroids play a critical role in the treatment of gout primarily by reducing inflammation. Gout is characterized by intense inflammation and pain due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. When a gout flare occurs, the body’s immune response triggers inflammation, leading to redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area.

Corticosteroids help to mitigate this inflammatory response, effectively decreasing the swelling and relieving pain associated with a gout attack. They do this by suppressing the immune system and reducing the production of inflammatory substances in the body. This mechanism is particularly beneficial for patients who may not be able to tolerate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or in situations where NSAIDs are ineffective.

While corticosteroids do alleviate symptoms, they do not dissolve uric acid crystals, relieve pain directly, or increase uric acid excretion from the body. Instead, they focus on managing the inflammation that arises during a gout flare, making them an important part of the treatment strategy for this condition.