Have you ever felt your big toe being grilled on fire in the middle of the night? Then questioned yourself, “did I hurt myself yesterday?” I am sure you must have experienced a lot of these things. However, it might not always be a simple minor case. But guess what? You probably faced a gout attack!
Now you must be wondering what this gout is and how it attacks you. Well, don’t worry, here it is all to help you know what gout is, symptoms of gout and home remedies for gout.
What is Gout ?
Gout is a painful arthritis. Many people also call it as Gouty Arthritis. An acute gout attack can strike without warning signs causing unbearable pain, usually in the joint of the big toe. The pain of a gout attack can be severe.
Gout is also known as the “disease of kings” because, in bygone days people thought there was a link between wine (in the olden days kings only drank wine) and gout. But the truth is gout can affect anyone and its risk factors vary.
There are no exact causes for gout or gouty arthritis, but presence of uric acid crystals in your body is one of the major reason.
What is Uric Acid and Who is at Risk?
Uric acid (breakdown of purines produce uric acid) is a harmless chemical produced in the body, which is naturally excreted through urine and poop (stool). The body maintains the levels of uric acid, but drinking too much alcohol can lead to its accumulation.
Lack of vitamin C in your diet, taking high fructose drinks, fruits and fruit juices, can also increase your uric acid levels. A recent study found that sugar sweetened drinks a day increases the risk of a gout attack. People who are suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, kidney damage, diabetes mellitus, bone marrow disorders, lipid disorders, (especially hypertriglyceridemia), have an increased risk of developing gout.
Uric acid levels depend on age and sex. Gout if often more prone in men than in women. This is because women naturally tend to have lower uric acid levels than in men. But in some rare cases, some people with a normal level of uric acid also may have gout attacks. So you need to be cautious!
Symptoms of Gout
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, then it could be a sign of gouty arthritis symptoms.
- Intense joint pain
- Inflammation and redness in the affected area
- Sudden discomfort in joint at night
Gout Remedies and Treatment
There are two concepts essential for treating gouty arthritis. Initially, halt the inflammation and redness then go for long term recur treatment.
Home Remedies for gouty arthritis treatment
Follow these home remedies, treatment of gouty arthritis and gouty arthritis diet to ease yourself out of the discomfort and pain caused due to gouty arthritis.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C to help lower uric acid. For example, oranges, tangerines, mandarins, red cabbage, red bell peppers, potatoes, etc. are all good to maintain uric acid levels.
- Consume fresh fruits and vegetables every day but avoid cauliflower, asparagus and mushroom.
- Avoid high-purine foods such as offal (e.g. liver), meat extracts, red meat, broth, game, poultry (e.g. turkey). You sould also avoid some vegetables (e.g. see above), fish like (e.g. mackerel), shellfish (e.g. prawns), legumes, yeast products and alcohol. The more purines you consume, the more uric acid is produced and thereby more chances of having gout.
- Drink more water and keep yourself hydrated. Avoid alcohol, high fructose drinks and juices.
- Cherries: Consume at least 20 cherries a day, more if possible. You can also drink cherry juice or eat dried cherries. Cherries have natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Use hot and cold compresses for increased circulation and pain relief.
Note: If you have calcium and vitamin d deficiency, you pain may worsen. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a good calcium and vitamin d supplement to decrease your pain and prevent other health problems associated with a deficiency. There is other medicine for gouty arthritis.
If your pain is unbearable, use a painkiller for time being and consult your physician for proper treatment and medication. Do not delay any further.
Finally, bear in mind that there is no fast and quick cure for gout or gouty arthritis. You need to have some patience.
If you have any more questions regarding gouty arthritis, please feel free to write in the comments below. I will be more than happy to help you.