7 Quick Ways to Cure Gout Pain
A high content of uric acid in the body and excess weight are the top causes of gout. The issue is more common amongst people in their middle or old age. The sad part is that most of the people suffering from gout pain don’t know how to get rid of it.
When you ignore your gout pain, it can become worse. Also, people who consume more saturated fats and alcohol also face this issue. A high blood pressure and soaring cholesterol level are also responsible for gout pain. In older times, the big toe was the commonest of all body organs to be affected by gout.
But in recent times, gout seems to attack the knees, wrists, and even fingers. According to expert, gout is the most common form of arthritis, and the number of affected people is higher than that of rheumatoid arthritis. The sooner you start with the pain relief for gout, the more effective it would be. And in case it has already reached an advanced stage, you should see a doctor without further delay. We have come up with a list of remedies that can offer pain relief from gout:
- Keep your feet elevated
If your feet are affected particularly, then you should keep them at an elevated level. This can be done by propping up a footstool or a pillow, and it can be a pain relief for gout. You should take off all sorts of pressure from the affected area until the attack passes. It’s important that you rest your joints that have been going through a kind of discomfort, especially for the last 24 hours. For this, you need to elevate your leg for some time and apply ice to reduce the swelling so that you get a quick pain relief for gout. - Reduce weight
You should keep your weight in check since being overweight is invariably linked with gout attacks. In case you are already overweight, you should cut down on fats and sweetened foods to lose weight faster. But you should refrain from a low-calorie diet because it would surge the amount of uric acid in the body, which can worsen gout attacks. - Avoid hard drinks
You may also follow a moderate workout plan and limit the intake of alcohol as well. Diets high in seafood and meat should also be avoided. Speak with your doctor regarding all the medicines that you take as you could be unknowingly taking any pills which are causing gout pain. If you are taking any medications meant to lower the uric acid levels, don’t take them immediately after your gout attack. They won’t be able to heal the pain but will contribute to worsening it. - Apply ice to the affected area
Some people can’t tolerate any pressure on the joint that’s been affect by gout. Apply an ice pack to reduce the inflammation and decrease the pain and the swelling to a great extent. Cold compressing is known to be the best source of relief for many types of pains that people suffer from. - Drink enough fluids
The importance of drinking enough water and staying hydrated has been mentioned everywhere. When you drink enough water and fluids, it helps in flushing out the uric acid from the system. You should aim for at least eight glasses in a day, which can be a mix of water and fruit juices. But don’t take caffeinated water as it may worsen the attack. In case your gout attack is leading to severe pain, your doctor may ask you to take corticosteroid injections to reduce sensitivity and ease the pain. - Keep the area bare
The area where the gout pain is intense should be left naked. The weight of any clothing or even the bedspreads can appear to worsen the pain. By removing it, you can get some pain relief for gout. Sometimes, the best advice for gout attack is to be patient until the pain eases on its own. Try wearing shorts made of cotton or any lightweight material. - Take the right medicines
Ideally, to get pain relief from gout, you should ideally take the medication that has been prescribed by your doctor and take rest. You should ask your doctor about gout-specific drugs that can block the formation of uric acid crystals inside the joint. These medicines work within a few hours of consumption and are highly effective in providing pain relief for gout. If it is still unbearable, you can take suitable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs listed by NSAIDs. Make sure that your pills don’t contain aspirin since it can bring about an alteration in the uric acid levels all of a sudden which can make the symptoms worse.