Medications can be used to treat gout, but some sufferers may also turn to home cures to ease their symptoms more quickly.
Until you have a case of gout, a common type of arthritis that causes sudden and intense outbreaks of pain, swelling, and redness in the joints, you may not realize how uncomfortable toe pain may be.
Even though gout theoretically can affect any joint, it’s most famous for producing searing, excruciating pain in the big toe. In fact, many patients report waking up in the middle of the night with a burning sensation in their big toe.
A buildup of urate crystals, which develop when a person has too much uric acid in their blood, is what causes gout.
Purines, which are naturally present in the body as well as in some meals and beverages such red meat, some fish, beer, and cocktails, are broken down by the body to form uric acid.
What is Gout?
Gout is a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis that is extremely painful and is brought on by the buildup of uric acid (monosodium urate) crystals in the body’s tendons, joints, and other tissues. These deposits lead to painful and inflammatory arthritis episodes. The attack may start unexpectedly in the middle of the night. In addition to the big toe joint, other joints such as the foot, hand, knee, or shoulder can also be affected by gout.What Causes Gout?
A kind of arthritis known as gout is marked by abrupt, acute pain, joint redness, heat, swelling, and tenderness. The big toe’s big joint is typically affected, although other places may also experience symptoms: Hands Wrists, Feet, Ankles, KneesHome Remedies
Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Lemons are loaded with medicinal and health benefits. Though there isn’t much evidence for humans yet, recent studies on mice demonstrate that lemon juice lowers uric acid levels.
Despite the absence of any recent research to support it, apple cider vinegar has a long anecdotal history of use for treating gout. But it’s good for your general health.
Eliminate diet triggers
If you wish to avoid a gout attack, be mindful of your nutrition. Food and alcohol can contribute significantly to gout attacks.
Reduce your consumption of red meat if you can, and stay away from foods high in purines such shellfish, anchovies, sardines, trout, and tuna.
Especially if you are aware that alcohol is a trigger for you, it is beneficial to moderate your alcohol consumption.
If you do want to drink alcohol, choose for a glass of wine rather than a cocktail or beer, both of which can considerably raise your body’s uric acid levels.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a dietary mineral that has a lot of advantages.
Magnesium consumption aids in reducing inflammatory processes within the body, and according to one study, it may also lower uric acid levels.
While using this treatment regularly may help prevent flare-ups in the future, it might not help with an acute gout attack.
Topical cold or hot application
If you experience a gout attack, consider administering heat or ice to the affected area to ease your pain.
Studies have demonstrated that cold helps diminish gout-related edema and inflammation, whilst heat can lessen discomfort by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
As necessary, alternate between a hot compress and an ice pack throughout the day.
Just be sure to cover the hot and cold compresses to prevent direct skin contact.
Nettle Tea
Stinging nettle has been used to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, gout, and anemia since the time of Ancient Greece.
This plant can be used to produce tea, juice, or as a flavoring for food.
Boil some water, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried nettle per cup, and let it steep to make a tea. Take up to three cups daily.
Stay hydrated
A easy technique to assist your kidneys in eliminating any extra uric acid in your body is by drinking adequate water.
There is no set amount of water that must be consumed. Throughout the day, have a bottle or glass of water nearby and sip from it frequently.
You are probably sufficiently hydrated if your urine is light or clear (and hopefully you won’t experience a gout attack).
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has long been used as a remedy for ailments of the liver and digestive system.
There is currently no proof that milk thistle reduces uric acid in people; however, recent studies on mice have shown that it can.
You may buy milk thistle online or at the majority of health food stores. Pay attention to the dosage recommendations on the dietary supplement you buy or talk to your healthcare physician.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Get enough sleep
It’s essential to lead a healthy lifestyle overall to stop inflammation, including gout attacks.
Exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are daily habits that can support your body’s ability to battle inflammation and, as a result, avoid the buildup of high amounts of uric acid in your body.
To ensure that you obtain at least 7 hours of sleep each night, aim to go to bed and wake up at regular times.
Avoiding coffee in the afternoon and limiting your alcohol consumption are also beneficial (particularly because alcohol is a known risk factor for gout).
You can get better sleep by using stress-reduction strategies including yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and counseling.
Talk to your healthcare practitioner or a K doctor about how you may improve your sleep if you frequently have trouble falling or staying asleep.
Bananas
Because they are high in potassium, a mineral that is necessary for the correct functioning of all of your organs, including your kidney, bananas, when consumed in moderation, may help avoid gout.
Bananas are a good source of fiber, which may aid in the removal of uric acid from the body.
You shouldn’t need to eat more than one banana each day to benefit from whatever advantages they may have because bananas contain fructose, which, when consumed in big numbers, can actually promote gout.
Ginger
Ginger is well known for promoting healthy digestion and reducing motion sickness, but it can also treat inflammation, including gout.
In one animal study, for instance, participants that ingested ginger internally had decreased uric acid levels.
Another human trial found that a ginger paste or compress applied to a gout flare-up can lessen discomfort.
Making your own ginger compress is not that difficult.
A clean cloth should be soaked in the liquid after boiling a spoonful of fresh, grated ginger. The cloth should then be applied to the injured joint once it has completely cooled for up to 30 minutes.
A cup of ginger tea, which you should be able to get at the store, or cooking your own cuisine with ginger will also help reduce inflammation.
Celery
Celery seed extract has been suggested as a home medicine for gout, and celery is frequently promoted as a treatment for urinary tract problems.
That could be as a result of luteolin, a substance found in celery seeds that can aid in lowering uric acid levels.
Celery’s antioxidants can also aid in reducing gout and arthritis-related inflammation.
Even if there isn’t any concrete scientific proof that eating celery will help avoid gout, it doesn’t hurt to have a nutritious, low-purine snack.
Consult your doctor before using celery seed extract as a supplement, and make sure you read the package carefully.
Dandelion
Another tea that you can prepare at home to perhaps prevent gout attacks is dandelion.
Dandelion tea and extract are frequently used to support renal function, which may assist the body get rid of excessive uric acid.
There isn’t much research to back up dandelion’s use as a gout treatment, although one animal study did find dandelion can lower uric acid levels.
Many grocery and health food stores carry dandelion tea. Talk to your doctor before using any supplements or dandelion extract, and always read and follow the directions on the label.
Hibiscus
It has been demonstrated that the blooming plant hibiscus raises the level of uric acid in urine, which is a consequence of the body’s uric acid removal process.
According to one animal study, hibiscus may be capable of decreasing uric acid levels, which theoretically lowers the incidence of gout.
Consider consuming hibiscus tea to help you avoid gout episodes at home. Hibiscus tea is available in food shops, or you may make your own with dried hibiscus. It only takes a few minutes to soak the herbs in hot water.
Apples
Even though eating an apple a day won’t keep the doctor away, lowering uric acid levels through natural means can help reduce gout attacks.
This is so that the body can excrete uric acid, which is absorbed from the bloodstream by fiber, which is abundant in apples.
Malic acid, which is found in apples, can counteract the harmful effects of uric acid already present in the body.
Juice should be avoided if you want to lower your risk of experiencing a gout attack because it frequently has added sugar, which might have the opposite effect on uric acid levels.
Additionally, juice lacks the apple fiber that is most beneficial for gout.
Cherries
One typical DIY treatment for gout is cherry juice.
One study from 2011 found that consuming eight ounces of 100% tart cherry juice every day for four weeks dramatically reduced the level of uric acid in subjects’ blood.
Additionally, anthocyanins, which are naturally anti-inflammatory and can reduce gout-related edema, are found in cherries.
The Arthritis Foundation advises drinking a glass of tart cherry juice or eating a few tart cherries every day to prevent a gout flare-up caused by cherries. Both can be found in most grocery stores.
Bottom Line
A buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints results in the potentially painful condition of gout. There are numerous home cures that claim to reduce the symptoms of gout, but there is little proof that they actually work.
Cherries and vitamin C are two common home treatments used to cure gout. Avoiding foods strong in purines, such as organ meats and fish, may also be beneficial. Consuming dairy products might also help lower uric acid levels.
