Who Is Prone To Gout
Certain people are more prone to gout than others, they include:
- People who eat a diet high in meat and seafood constantly.
- People who overindulge in drinking alcohol.
- People who suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
- People who have a family history of gout.
- Women after menopause may develop symptoms of gout since the uric acid levels in women tend to rise after menopause.
- People who had surgery recently may be susceptible to gout.
- People who suffer from obesity.
- People with insufficient kidney function are at increased risk for gout.
The Conditions Of Which You Likely Do Not Have Control Are:
- GenderMen are more likely to get gout than women. This condition most commonly strikes men between the ages of 30-50. Women can get gout, too, however. After menopause, their levels of uric acid increase, which is when they are more likely to experience an attack.
- Family historyYour risk for gout increases if others in your family have had this disease.
- Injury, and surgery These too can be potential triggers for a gout attack.
Have Lime Juice To Neutralize Uric Acid
I have not included lemon in the list of fruits for three reasons. One, you may not deem it a fruit. Two, I wanted to emphasize the importance of lemon and lime juice for gout remedy and three, you may or may not have fruits on a regular basis but if you suffer from gout, you should make it a point to have fresh lime juice twice or thrice a day. Just squeeze a lemon into a glass of water and have it. You may even include lime juice in your meals- in raw form though. The citric acid in lemon neutralizes the excessive uric acid in your blood giving your body alkalinity.
Don’t Miss: Onion And Gout
Soak Them In Vinegar For A Bad Smell Of Feet
To help combat foot odor, combine two parts water with one part vinegar in a foot bath. You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for this.
Add several drops of thyme oil to the water as well this helps alleviate the smell. Also, you can try using a mixture of four cups of water, four cups of vinegar, and half a cup of baking soda dissolved in the liquid.
Use this foot soak in vinegar for 15-20 minutes. Remember that you should never use this recipe if you have open sores, scratches or cuts on your feet. Make sure to dry your feet well, especially between the toes.
Home Remedies For Gout Relief
There are several prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can help with gout flare-ups.
For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain during a gout attack.
If youre prone to gout attacks, a doctor may also prescribe a medication to decrease the uric acid in your body, such as allopurinol.
If youre at home and in severe painor if you want to reduce your chances of a gout attackthere are a few evidence-backed natural remedies for gout relief, from foods to lifestyle changes.
If, for some reason, your gout gets worse or home remedies just arent cutting it, dont hesitate to see a health care provider or chat with a K doctor, who can help you manage the pain and teach you how to prevent future gout attacks.
Without further ado, here are some of the most common home remedies for gout.
Don’t Miss: Is Onion Good For Gout
Myth: Once You’ve Got Gout Lifestyle Changes Don’t Really Help
Truth: Lifestyle changes can reduce both the severity and frequency of attacks. For starters, when people lose weight, they often have fewer attacks, says Reveille.
Animal proteins have a higher level of purines, so it’s better to eat vegetable proteins like beans and peas.
In fact, a 2010 review in the rheumatology journal Current Opinion in Rheumatology notes that protein-rich foods such as dairy products, nuts, beans, peas and whole grains are healthy choices for people with gout, reducing the risk of heart disease and possibly lowering the risk of insulin resistance.
Baraf says that he asks patients to abstain from alcohol during the first six months of treatment, until medications have stabilized uric acid levels. After that, he says, it’s fine to drink in moderation.
Dorothy Foltz-Gray is a freelance writer who lives in North Carolina.Remember to go to the AARP home page every day for tips on keeping healthy and sharp, and great deals.
Featured AARP Member Benefits
Warning Signs Of A Gout Flare
Some people with gout, also known as gouty arthritis, say an attack begins with a burning, itching, or tingling feeling in a joint maybe an hour or two before the flare-up starts. The joint may feel a little stiff or a bit sore. Not long after, the telltale signs of gout begin. If you get repeated attacks, you’ll learn your body’s signals that one is about to begin.
Sometimes, people with gout have no early signs that a flare is about to start. They may just wake up in the middle of the night with a very painful joint.
When the flare starts, most people have redness, swelling, and severe pain, usually in one joint. The most common place for gout is the base of the big toe, but it can happen in other joints such as the elbow, knee, wrist, ankle, and instep.
You May Like: Is Onion Bad For Gout
Most Effective Home Remedies For Gout
July 2, 2018 By Sara
Gout- its painful! You know that. Either you have acute gout or chronic gout , you need to relieve yourself of that painful lump. Even better if you can avoid those gout flare-ups that stay for days and weeks. Medicines havent proved to be the magical pills. They only suppress the symptoms, the pain and the swelling just letting them come again and again. So, whats the way out then? Home remedies and certain changes in diet and lifestyle. Here I give you a list of really effective home remedies for gout. Following them will not only avoid your gout flare-ups but eventually treat your gout too.
Which Is Better For Relief Of Gout Pain Hot Or Cold Soaking
By | Submitted On May 12, 2010
When it comes to pain, there are always 2 ways to help relief the pain, ice bag or warm tower. Somehow, the cold treatment is a more commonly used solution to numb the nerves so that the signals of the pain cannot reach the brain, temporarily.
In the case of gout pain, because the infected area is like burning on fire, most patients will soak the whole foot into a bucket full of freezing cold ices. That will immediately numb all the nerves in the foot, he cannot even feel the existence of the feet, not to mention the grueling pain at the swollen toe.
This may sound like a good fix for the intense pain, but the fact is that cold treatment will only make the condition worse in the long run. This is a method that kills the symptoms but worsen the root cause of gout.
Gout is a direct result of accumulation of too much uric acid in the body and the population of gout patients is growing worldwide at alarming rate. This is because of our modern stressful lifestyle that is full of acidic diet and habits. Smoking, soft drinks, instant food, synthetic food additives, fast food, are all acidifying agents that actively pump acids into the bloodstream.
When the concentration of uric acid in the synovial goes beyond the saturation level, they will crystallize and forms urate crystals that triggers the immune reaction which result in inflammation, burning sensation and pain, intense pain! Gout attack!
Also Check: Is Rice Good For Gout
For Regular Foot Care Use Vinegar
For daily foot care, try a foot soak made from two gallons of warm water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and a few drops of essential oils. Soak for 45 minutes twice a week, then rub your feet gently with a pumice stone.
Dont forget to hydrate afterwards. And remember, never use the same solution more than once always use a fresh solution each time.
Three Ways To Treat Gout Using Apple Cider Vinegar
You can take apple cider vinegar internally or apply it topically to get relief from gout.
For taking it internally, dilute one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Drink the mixture twice a day for best results. If you dont like the bitter taste, add a little honey or a low-calorie sweetener. You can also mix apple cider vinegar with oil and use it as a salad dressing.
Along with taking apple cider vinegar internally, you can apply it on the affected joint to get better and faster relief from gout. Take a dry and clean cloth and dip it in pure apple cider vinegar. Now, wrap this cloth around the affected body joint and keep it on overnight. It will help soothe the pain. You can repeat this process every alternate day.
Another way is to take a hot bath in an apple cider vinegar mixture. Add a cup of apple cider vinegar in a bucket of hot water. Then soak the affected hand or leg in it for about 30 minutes. Do this on a daily basis for best results.
Also Check: Is Tomato Bad For Gout
Recommended Reading: Almond Milk And Gout
How Is Gout Diagnosed
Your health care provider will get your complete medical history and do a physical exam. She may run these exams and tests to diagnose gout:
- Ajoint fluid analysis to see if uric acid crystals are present. This is the only certain way to diagnose gout.
- Tests to measure uric acid levels in blood and urine
There are many conditions with symptoms similar to gout. Be sure to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Can Stress Cause A Gout Flare
Emotional stress can contribute to gout flare-ups, especially when coupled with other illness or fatigue. In particular, medical stress including hospital visits, surgery, and prolonged illness is associated with a higher risk of a gout attack. On a day-to-day basis, managing your stress levels in a healthy way and getting enough sleep every night can lower the risk of an attack.
Also Check: Are Almonds Bad For Gout
Apple Cider Vinegar And Gout
It is sometimes claimed that apple cider vinegar is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation with gout. However, there is no research to support that it has anti-inflammatory effects in humans or that it is effective in preventing gout and gout flares.
One study looked at a diet approach to controlling uric acid levels in the blood and found that following an alkaline diet increased the pH of the urine which was associated with increased excretion of uric acid in urine. The alkaline diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whereas the more acidic diet was more protein-rich. Vinegar was included in the alkaline diet, but it was not specified as apple cider vinegar.
A few of the health claims about apple cider vinegar have some supporting evidence and they could indirectly help with gout. Here is a closer look.
How Apple Cider Vinegar Works For Gout
ACV contains antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is full of nutrients, like potassium, amino acids, calcium, and iron, which can help reduce toxin buildup and help rid the body of excess levels of uric acid.
ACV also contains acetic acid, an ingredient that is effective at preventing and treating gout. According to some researchers, acetic acid turns alkaline inside the body and forms a pH-balanced environment that prevents gout.
ACV also contains malic acid. This ingredient is able to dissolve the uric acid in your blood, which could reduce the intense pain and soreness associated with gout.
Drinking apple cider vinegar breaks up the uric acid crystals and thwarts them from reforming in the joints by supporting proper blood circulation. It also promotes joint flexibility by reducing swelling and inflammation in the joints.
Some people even claim to experience gout relief a few hours after drinking apple cider vinegar.
Don’t Miss: Are Oranges Good For Gout
Nonprescription Medications For Gout
If home remedies arent cutting it, your provider may recommend you take an over-the-counter medication to manage your pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can help to reduce inflammation associated with gout, and in turn, reduce the pain, swelling, and redness of a gout attack.
Your health care provider can recommend the best nonprescription medication for you to manage gout flare ups, and if necessary, suggest a prescription medication.
Does Epsom Salt For Gout Help
Yes, Epsom salt does help people living with gout. Many experienced gout sufferers swear by it.
The salt gets easily absorbed through the skin, and being that its very alkaline, it dissolves the uric acid crystals that cause the painful flare.
The best thing about Epsom salt is the type of contact it requires. As you may know very well, even the slightest touch can cause the most excruciating pain. With Epsom salt, you only need to soak the joint in water. No pressure needed.
Again, there are no studies to substantiate Epsom salts benefit for gout but many home remedy DIY-ers continually use it for its positive effects. Often, medication is not enough to manage the condition thats why people opt to try this home remedy. It also acts as an immediate pain reliever for unexpected gout attacks.
Don’t Miss: Gout In Heel Pictures
Is It Good To Soak Your Feet When Theyre Swollen
When you feel tired and have pain on your feet and legs due to walking and standing for hours all day long, you should soak your feet and legs in cold water because it can helps constrict your blood vessels and reduce the inflammatory chemical mediators so that the swelling and inflammation in the muscles are reduced Jun 22, 2021.
Who Is At Risk For Gout
Anyone can be affected by gout.
Gout is most common in middle-aged men, especially those with a family history of the disease. Women can get gout, too, most often after menopause.
Your chances of developing gout are higher if you:
- Are overweight
- Drink too much alcohol, especially beer
- Eat a diet rich in meat and fish, which can be high in chemicals called purines
- Take certain medicines, like water pills , that can trigger an attack
Recent research also indicates that genetics may play a big role in determining who gets gout. Ask your doctor if you have questions about your risk for developing this condition.
Don’t Miss: Is Almond Milk Good For Gout
Myth: Women Aren’t Afflicted By Gout
Truth: Men and women alike can develop the disease, although men are more vulnerable earlier in life. “Gout is 10 times more common in men than in women, until women reach menopause. The incidence of new cases of gout in men and women tends to equal out after age 60 or so,” says Herbert Baraf, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Throbbing pain on the tip of your big toe? You might have gout.
Where Does A Gout Attack Occur
Gout often attacks the largest joint in your big toe. However, it can also attack the foot, ankle knees, hands, or wrists. Intense pain, redness, and swelling can start with no warning, although you may have warning signs of an impending attack. If you start to feel tingling, burning, or itching in a joint, your body is giving you a warning signal that a flare-up is imminent.
You May Like: Cherry Juice For Gout Mayo Clinic
How To Use Epsom Salt
To help reduce the inflammation during a gout flare add 1/2 a cup of Epsom salt into a basin of hot water and soak the affected foot or joint for around 20 minutes. The water should be as hot as is comfortable.
Where the affected joint is difficult to position in a basin, add 2 full cups of Epsom salt into a bath containing hot water and soak your body for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times per week.
Another way to use this home remedy is to apply a compress over / around the affected area. Just soak a cloth or towel in hot water containing Epsom salt.
Be careful though
- Dont use Epsom salt in higher doses than recommended by your healthcare provider or on the package. Taking too much can cause serious, even life-threatening side effects.
- Dont use if youre pregnant. Magnesium sulfate can cause low calcium and bone problems in unborn babies.
- Magnesium has a drying effect on the skin. So moisturize well after every soak.
- For the same reason, if you have diabetes it may be best to avoid soaking as this can lead to irritation, dry / cracked skin, and possible infections. This is especially relevant for a foot soak.
- If you suspect that you or someone else has overdosed on Epsom salt then seek immediate medical help.
Home Care For A Gout Flare
If your doctor has diagnosed you with gout and given you medicine for a flare-up, take the medicine as directed when you know youâre having one. In most cases, that will probably be as soon as the first signs begin.
Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib, indomethacin, meloxicam, or sulindac or suggest you take over-the-counter NSAIDs, like naproxen or ibuprofen. Depending on your medical history, your doctor may prescribe steroids or other medicines to reduce inflammation, such as colchicine .
In some cases, you already may be taking medicine like colchicine to prevent gout flare-ups. Your doctor may have also suggested:
If you canât take allopurinol or it is not effective, your doctor may prescribe . It should be used with caution, however, because it has been linked to increased risk of death from heart disease and from other causes.
Just because you have a flare doesn’t mean these medicines aren’t working. In the first few months that you take them, you may have an attack as your body adjusts to the drug. Your doctor will likely have given you something to take if this happens, too.
If youâve been taking preventive gout medicine for a long time and youâre having flares for the first time in a while, call your doctor. They may talk to you about changing your dosage or your medicine.
Also Check: Allopurinol And Alcohol Interaction