A form of arthritis, gout causes severe bouts of pain. It causes pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and swelling or inflammation in some joints. Gout is a condition that mostly affects the large toe, but can also affect other joints in the leg such as knee, ankle or foot. Joints in arms (such as hand, wrist, and elbow) are least affected by gout.
Gout was earlier called as the disease of the rich. It was incorrectly linked to eating habits. Although improper diet and exercise can contribute to the development of gout, they are not the only causes of the disorder.
Gout is a result of abnormal deposits of sodium urate crystals around the joint cartilage, which are discharged into the joint fluid causing.
How to treat gout?
The symptoms of gout can be controlled and treated with appropriate therapy. The major aim of its treatment is to lower the blood uric acid level, which will, in turn, reduce the symptoms of gout. Gout is treated in two ways relieving pain and inflammation and preventing future gout attacks that could lead to permanent joint damage.
There are several factors on which gout treatment depends; this includes person’s age, types of medicines, overall health and medical history and severity of gout attacks.
If you are looking for how to treat gout using anti-inflammatory drugs, these could be your options:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the pain and swelling caused due to gout attacks. You might have to continue taking anti-inflammatory drugs until the gout attacks resolve completely. If anti-inflammatory drugs cause some side effects, consult your doctor for an alternative medication. If gout patients are suffering from kidney diseases, heart failure, diabetes, ulcers, and other chronic conditions, the choice of therapy for them treat the disease is completely different.
- Neo steroidal drugs are prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain due to sudden and severe gout attack within hours.
Low doses of other anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by the doctor to reduce the recurrent attacks of gout.
One of the answers of how to treat gout is by controlling the uric acid levels. Some patients might need to take medications to lower the uric acid level in their body.
Some drugs are prescribed for patients who have had multiple attacks of gout or kidney stones due to uric acid.
As the uric acid level reduces in the blood, it slowly dissolves joint deposits of sodium urate. This remedy will not treat an acute attack but will prevent additional attacks from reoccurring over time.
If you are wondering how to treat gout using home remedies, there are a couple of remedies that might help you provide relief.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps your body to become more alkaline, thereby helping in reducing acidity and relieving acute gout pain. Gout sufferers report drinking 1-2 tablespoons of raw unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of at least 8 ounces of water. Drink this solution 2-3 times a day to get better results. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a topical treatment. Soak your foot for about 30 minutes in 4 cups of hot water and a cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak a clean, dry cloth in an apple cider vinegar and wrap it around gout affected area for at least 15 minutes.
Baking soda
Baking soda is another popular natural home remedy to treat gout. It acts the same way as apple cider vinegar, reducing the acidic level in the body by increasing the alkaline level. Avoid this remedy if you are suffering from high blood pressure. Limit your salt intake in your meals. This is because baking soda has a high content of sodium. The maximum recommended doses to be taken throughout the day is four teaspoons. This is how you can treat gout.
Ginger and turmeric
Ginger and turmeric have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful in easing pain due to gout. Chop off a little piece of (an inch) ginger and boil it for about 20 minutes. Add it to tea. Some people consume raw ginger and garlic or use it in cooking recipes. You can also use it topically to reduce the swelling. Make a paste of ginger root and water and apply it to the affected area. Leave the paste there for 30 minutes.
Bromelain
A compound in pineapples, bromelain contains enzymes and vitamin C that lower the uric acid and ease inflammation and pain experienced due to gout. This is how you can treat gout.
Celery seeds
Celery seeds stimulate your kidney, which causes them to excrete more uric acid out of the body. These are one of the other popular home remedies that help in lowering uric acid level in the body, thus preventing the symptoms of gout.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is widely used to relax muscles, aches, and pains. The magnesium present in Epsom salt lowers the uric acid level in the body, thus helping in treating gout. This is how you can treat gout.
