Gout is one of the most painful types of arthritis. It takes place when an excessive amount of uric acid builds up in the body.
For most people, the first attack of gout transpires in the big toe and is truly painful. The toe is very red, swollen, sore, and warm.
If you already have it, you know the ill-fated signs of its outbreak. You cannot do anything to stop gout attacks once they started, but there are certain things you can do in order to take care of it at home.
Gout Treatments
Treating this condition requires 3 approaches that combine gout medications, certain lifestyle changes, and individual home treatments:
- Medications
Although, doctors cannot stop the attacks they can help you reduce the terrible pain. You doctor will probably prescribe you medications that block the production of uric acid. Drugs as allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim, Lopurin) and febuxostat (Uloric), can limit the uric acid amount that your body makes. Consequently, this will lower the levels of uric acid in your blood and reduce the pain.
- Lifestyle changes
In addition to medicines, there are also significant self-care guidelines that can help your gout flare-up. You should make certain lifestyle changes that will help you, such as:
- Reduce intake of foods high in purines, like red meat, seafood and organ meats.
- Limiting alcoholic drinks (especially beer) and beverages sweetened with fructose. As an alternative, drink plenty of water and other healthy nonalcoholic beverages.
- Exercising regularly and keeping your body at a healthy weight will help you reduce the risk of arthritis.
- Home Treatments
These easy-to-follow natural treatments can help you to relieve the symptoms of this condition and support the healing process. Here are some of the most effective home treatments:
Basic home remedies for mild gout pain:
- Cold compresses
Try cold compresses, cold packs, or cold water on the joint to reduce the inflammation and decrease the pain. Do it for half an hour 4-5 times a day.
- Rest your joint
Rest the joint until the pain decreases. Many people having an attack probably won’t want to move their joint anyway. So, raise your joint on a pillow or some other soft object.
Advanced home treatments for more serious gout pain:
- Activated Charcoal
It is best known to absorb uric acid. Thus, it can be safely and effectively used as a remedy for this type of arthritis. People who suffer from this condition should take a charcoal bath 2-3 times per week.
You can mix the ½ cup charcoal powder with the same amount of water in order to make a paste. Then, put the paste in a bathtub and add some more water. Next, soak your joint for at least 30 minutes.
Alternately, make a charcoal paste and put it on the affected area. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse it off in the end.
This is an ideal treatment for gout in the big toe or ankle joint.
- Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium and can help convert uric acid crystals into the fluid and flushed it out of the body through urination. They also contain some amounts of vitamin C that helps in managing to swell and treating pain. All of these features makes them one of the most effective home remedies for this type of arthritis.
Just eat 1-2 bananas each day, and soon you will notice the positive changes. Also, you can add 1 banana to 1 cup of yogurt and consume it every day.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used to treat acid stomach and headaches. It also helps treat gout and other forms of arthritis. The acidity of apple cider vinegar will help release the pain.
Just mix 1 teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar into a glass of spring water. Consume this 2-3 times a day.
After a week, you can increase the dose to up to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Epson Salt
Epsom salt is a useful ingredient for treating gout and some other forms of arthritis. It contains a high magnesium amount that can help to lower high blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular health.
Soak the affected area in a tub with warm water mixed with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt. This will relax the aching muscles and relieve the pain.
If you have mild pain do this one a week. For more serious pain do it 2-3 times per week.
- Lemon Juice
In order to release gout pain, it is crucial to alkalize your body and neutralize the amount of uric acid in your bloodstream. Lemon juice in combination with baking soda can easily help you to do that. Along with this treatment, consume more other citrus fruits rich in vitamin C to build up the body tissues.
Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda and juice from 1 lemon. Leave it for about 15 seconds until the fizzing ends, and then put it in a glass of spring water. Then, drink it immediately.
- Cherries
Whether sour or sweet, cherries can also be helpful in treating this condition `due to their amazing antioxidant properties. They contain anthocyanin that can reduce inflammation and minimize gout flare-ups.
Gout patients should consume 14-18 cherries per day. Ideally, start your day with a portion of fresh cherries.
Alternatively, consume a glass of black cherries juice every day.
Conclusion:
Medications are the most proven remedies to treat this type of arthritis. However, it is certainly not good for your health to take a pill every time when you have an attack. Besides, medications are just reducing the pain. So, you can also try other effective ways to treat gout symptoms. Lifestyle changes are required. Plus, home treatments can reduce the pain and decrease the symptoms of gout in future, as well as improve your overall health.