Gout is a very similar disease to osteoarthritis as the pain related to these conditions are very identical. However, there are some distinct differences between them. When the level of uric acid is raised, you will suffer from gout. The high uric acid will accumulate in joints, which causes inflammation combined with discomfort and pain.
This acid is a by-product of purines found in foods. When our body breaks these food purines, it will raise the uric acid level in our body, leading to you suffering from gout. You can also make some dietary changes to control the purine levels and decrease your chances of a gout flare.
Toes, ankles, and knees are the prime targets of gout, and you will suffer from a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and discomfort. The gout attacks can be excruciating to handle, and they can cause red, hot, painful, and swollen joints.
The most common gout attack site is our big toe of the feet. You will feel unbearable pain in the toe, and that will make it impossible to wear shoes. The pain is so agonizing that even a light fabric of a sock can be exceedingly hurtful.
Truth be told, gout is not curable. However, you can combine medications with home remedies for gout to keep the condition in remission.
Medications can help you, but diet and lifestyle changes can increase the effects of these medicines. When you change your food habits, you will be lowering uric acid, which can reduce the risk of gout and may even help stop gout flares in people with this condition.
However, keep in mind that gout flares depend on various factors; not just your lifestyle is responsible for that. So, it is advisable to consult a doctor before trying natural remedies for gout.
Here are some natural remedies for gout.
Soothing Natural Remedies for Gout
Gout can be excruciating, and it can affect your quality of life. To make your life a little bit better, try these below-mentioned home remedies for gout:
Keep Hydrated
This is one of the best natural remedies for gout and can even help you deal with and combat many other diseases and conditions. Drinking plenty of water can help you treat gout pain and swelling.
The more you drink, the more your body will flush away the unwanted uric acid from the body. This decrease in uric acid from the body can give you instant relief from the painful gout-associated symptoms.
There is a reason why The Arthritis Foundation has termed water as the “Magical Elixir.” It is the best way to reduce the acidity level and even help you reduce the effects of inflammation. Drinking a lot of water can help you flush out the harmful toxins from the body and will lubricate your joints.
One compelling study has also revealed that you can also try tart cherry juice. It is also shown that cherry extract can help you reduce the pain related to this condition. Likewise, apple juice may help as well as it contains malic acid, which will help you lower the uric acid.
Dehydration will increase the level of uric acid in our body, which will directly lead to an increase in the number of gout flare-ups and the pain related to it. Hence, if you want to keep the gout flare-ups at bay, stay hydrated all the time.
If you find it tough to stay hydrated by drinking water only, try adding watery foods like watermelon, cucumber, celery, iceberg lettuce, and pineapple to your menu, as it can also increase hydration. These fruits will also help you deal with significant swelling and inflammation experienced in gout.
Water is best, but you can also try other clear fluids such as broth and herbal teas. However, make sure that you avoid using alcohol and sodas, which are full of purines. Additionally, anyone suffering from congestive heart failure or kidney disease should consult a doctor before increasing their fluid intake.
Purine is one of the main reasons why you are suffering from this condition. Hence, when you switch to low in purine food, it will help you steadily lower their uric acid levels or at least avoid further increases.
Here are some foods that have low purine content
- Low-fat and fat-free dairy products
- Peanut butter and most nuts
- Most fruits and vegetables
- Coffee
- Whole-grain rice, bread, and potatoes
However, keep in mind that dietary changes alone will not help you get rid of gout, but they will help you reduce the number of attacks and prevent flare-ups.
There is no evidence that people who consume high purine foods will get gout for sure, as other factors such as genetic susceptibility also play a huge role. People who are suffering from obesity and postmenopausal women are at higher risk of countering gout.
You should also avoid some meats as they are also known to have high amounts of purines. This can help a person’s gout symptoms.
Here are some meats and fish that are high in purines:
- Bacon
- Turkey
- Veal
- Venison
- Organ meats, such as liver
- Anchovies
- Sardines
- Mussels
- Cod
- Scallops
Avoiding these high purine foods can help you reduce the symptoms of gout-related pain and discomfort. Hence, changing the diet is one of the best natural remedies for gout.
Ginger is a culinary wonder, and it is used to treat innumerable inflammatory conditions and its ability to counter gout is well-documented by various studies and researches. According to one study, topical ginger can reduce the unbearable pain related to uric acid in gout.
One more study showed that people with higher uric acid improved after using ginger and showed a decrease in the level of this acid from the body.
Ginger will work towards making you sweat, which will eventually lead to removing unnecessary uric acid from the body. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you deal with the pain and swelling related to gout.
To make a ginger compress:
- Take a bowl, add water to it and throw one tablespoon of freshly grated ginger root.
- Boil it well.
- Now, take it off from the flame and soak a clean washcloth in the ginger water.
- Then apply the washcloth to the area where you are experiencing pain.
- Do this once per day for around half an hour.
You can suffer from skin irritation. So, before you go full-fledged, test it on your skin first.
- You can also consume ginger to get relief from gout pain.
- Boil water with two teaspoons of ginger root for around 15 minutes.
- Drink at least 4 cups daily for better results.
You can suffer from some interaction. So, let your doctor know first before you start taking large amounts of ginger.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seed is an herb that you can find with light green leaves and small white flowers – a mesmerizing sight of a very beneficial natural herb. It is not only good-looking but can help you with gout as well as consuming fenugreek seeds can help you reduce the internal and external inflammation of the body caused by this condition.
In traditional medicine, fenugreek is considered one of the most beneficial herbs and can be used in treating several health woes, including gout. This potent herb helps you deal with the pain and discomfort caused by gout. Eating fenugreek seeds can ease joint pain, and hence, it is known as one of the best home remedies for gout.
To use fenugreek seed:
- Get half cup of water.
- Throw some fenugreek seeds in it.
- Let them soak in the water overnight.
- Drink that water in the morning and chew the seeds.
- This will reduce the swelling and unbearable pain.
Consume Coffee
Coffee fanatics are going to love this remedy. According to a 2016 study, people who drank more coffee were less likely to have gout due to coffee’s ability to reduce the uric acid in our bodies. According to this study, the gout risk decreased as coffee consumption increased.
In 2010, a detailed study was done on women. According to that study, women who drank 1 to 3 cups of coffee daily had a staggering 22% reduction in their risk of gout compared to non-coffee drinkers.
In that study, women who drank more than 4 cups of coffee daily had an unbelievable 57% decrease in the risk of getting gout. Many studies have also correlated coffee consumption with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Another 2014 study showed that people who drank 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day had the lowest chances of having cardiovascular disease. People with gout have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, so drinking coffee can prove to be one of the best home remedies for gout and for improving their overall health.
Eat Apple and Banana
Apple is one of the best fruits considered by many doctors as it can help you deal with and combat many illnesses and that also include gout. Apple is full of malic acid, and it can help you reduce malic acid in your body. This wonder fruit can also help you deal with the swelling and pain related to gout, and hence it is one of the most excellent home remedies for gout.
Due to their high potassium content, bananas are also considered as perfect natural remedies for gout. This fruit can help our tissues and organs to function properly. However, bananas also have sugar, fructose, which can be a gout trigger.
You can also eat foods higher in potassium and lower in sugar than bananas, like dark leafy greens and avocados. To play safe, eat one banana and one apple a day to treat gout.
Turmeric
A root that belongs to the ginger family – turmeric- is considered the magical herb that can help you with many medical ailments. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can deal with chronic inflammation, which can reduce the activity of Xanthine oxidase – the enzyme that produces uric acid in our body.
You can add turmeric to the milk and consume it in the morning to get relief from gout.
Also Read: Natural Body Pain Relief Home Remedies.
Final Words
You can find plenty of options to get relief from the various symptoms of gout attacks at home. Most of these home remedies for gout are natural and have little to no side effects at all. However, before trying any of these natural remedies for gout, consult your doctor.
