How To Use Epsom Salt Also Know As Magnesium Sulfate For Gout Pain
Magnesium sulfate is commonly referred to as Epsom salt. It is a great natural remedy for relieving the symptoms of gout. It was in the town of Epsom in England where the salt was distilled from the spring water and so it is called Epsom salt. The salt has many medicinal benefits it is easily absorbed through the skin when added in bath.
Gout is the type of arthritis which affects the big toe however it can also affect knees, ankle etc. There is increased level of uric acid in gout. The sharp crystals of uric acid build up around the joints, particularly joints of lower extremities such as big toe and ankle or knee causes discomfort, tenderness and pain with swelling. Foot soak of Epsom salt for gout is an effective way of relieving the pain and tenderness felt in big toe and ankle.
Natural Remedy For Gout
Perhaps the best-known natural remedy for gout is tart cherries or concentrated cherry juice. World-renowned nutritional medicine expert and Linus Pauling Award winner Dr. Jonathan V. Wright recommends gout sufferers drink 32 ounces of pure cherry juice at the first sign of an attack. Although no one is sure why or how it works, says Dr. Wright, Studies have shown that cherry juice usually eliminates the pain of acute gout. Dr. Wright maintains that drinking 1 to 3 pints of cherry juice over the course of a few days will eliminate gout pain.
A 1999 study reported by the worlds largest scientific society, the American Chemical Society, in the Journal of Natural Products showed that consuming about 20 cherries relieved the intense pain and inflammation of a gout attack as effectively as top-selling anti-inflammatory medications like Aspirin and COX-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex. Capsules of cherry concentrate reduced inflammation at 1/10 the dosage of Aspirin.
But when cherry growers began to cite this scientific research, the FDA sent warning letters to 29 companies threatening regulatory action if they didnt remove the scientific evidence regarding the anti- inflammatory properties of cherries from their websites.
Making the blood less acidic is said to lessen its ability to hold uric acid. To alkalize your blood and add beneficial magnesium to your body, take 1 tablespoon of Bone Matrix 4 times a day .
Natural Gout Treatment Summary:
Can Tissue Salts Ease A Gout Attack
By | Submitted On March 08, 2007
The pain of a gout attack is not something a sufferer soon forgets, which is why finding treatment that provides sufficient relief for an attack is mandatory. Although there are different medications to treat gout, there are also different non-drug treatments such as tissue salts which can provide relief.
What are tissue salts? They are inorganic compounds that play a vital role in the function and growth of cells in the body. Mineral tissue salts exist in the human body and were found to be beneficial in treating certain health conditions by Dr. Wilhem Schüessler, a 19th century German doctor.
Schüessler theorized that tissue salts were essential for bodily tissues to function normally and prevent health problems. Hence, by ingesting the deficient tissue salts, a resulting illness could heal. To prove his theory, Schüessler conducted studies on his own patients and achieved successful results.
How do mineral tissue salts work to ease a gout attack? First of all, there are 12 mineral salts:
1. Calcium fluoride
11. Natrum sulphate
12. Silica
Different combinations of these tissue salts make up every cell in the body. Each tissue salt is designed to correct deficiencies or imbalances that occur in cells. They work by restoring, maintaining and improving good health when used as long-term treatment.
The mineral tissue salts used for treating a gout attack are –
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Home Remedies For Gout
Because of the rise in health care costs and the popular inclination to try natural home remedies to prevent the need for prescription drugs and surgeries, many people are turning toward alternative remedies to treat gout. A number of these home remedies have been acknowledged for treating gout. But, are they effective or not? We will present a number of them below and discuss their likelihood of success.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used to treat gout because its acidity relieves the acute pain associated with gout and other types of arthritis. The vinegar increases the bodys alkalinity and has anti-inflammatory properties. Some individuals also add honey to the apple cider vinegar because of honeys anti-inflammatory properties.
The bad news is that you take the concoction by the spoonful, and apple cider vinegar isnt exactly known for its amazing taste. To be most effective, you need to take up to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day. Scientific results are lacking in evidence that apple cider vinegar really works. There was a study in Japan in 2010 which looked at different diets to improve alkalization of urine to increase the removal of uric acid from the body. Apple cider vinegar was in one of the diets, but was not tested alone.
Success stories are hit or miss with apple cider vinegar and the treatment of gout. We give it two stars.
2. Ginger Root
3. Baking Soda
4. Lemon Juice
5. Epsom Salt
6. Cherries
7. Bananas
How Can Epsom Salts Help Relieve Gout Symptoms
Epsom crystals are natural compound minerals, mainly formed from magnesium and sulfate. These Epsom salts benefit help to relieve the symptoms of gout by providing relief for inflammations, while also having other health benefits like increasing blood flow.
This composition helps to flush harmful toxins from the body. It also cleanses and relieves any swelling, reduces inflammation in joints, aids nerves function correctly. It even increases protein in the tissue and regulates electrolytes. All the factors make this an excellent choice for people with gout or diabetes.
When Epsom crystals are used with warm water, the benefits are absorbed by the skin quickly. So the alleviating effects can be felt after just a few minutes of use.
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So Should You Be Eating Salt If You Have Gout
Whether or not salt is safe to eat with gout is entirely the wrong question.
You have to look at it from the point of view of your overall health since studies have linked high salt diets with high blood pressure and an increased risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
Salt has also been linked with fluid retention, kidney problems, and even osteoporosis.
So the question isnt so much whether or not salt is safe in a gout diet but if you should be consuming it at all.
A Natural Therapy For Gout
Epsom crystals are natural compound minerals, mainly formed of magnesium and sulfate. This composition helps to flush harmful toxins from the body it also cleans the skin, alleviates any swelling, reduces inflammation, aids nerves to function correctly, increases protein on joints and tissue, and regulates electrolytes, which eventually provide a soothing effect for conditions like gout.
As a type of chronic arthritis that causes inflammation, gout is hard to cure. But with the right use of Epsom salts, relieving any joint pain and reducing inflammation can be a lot easier. The sulfate and magnesium which Epsom crystals contain are absorbed by the skin really fast when they are used on water, even more so when the water is warm. So the alleviating effects are instantaneous, for an incredible feeling after some minutes of use.
Another essential advantage of Epsom treatment is the conversion of carbohydrates into energy, which is promoted heavily with this therapy and delivers a rejuvenating and invigorating effect. Blood pressure and cholesterol level are enhanced as well while detoxing tissue and skin, and boosting nerve and brain functions.
All of this and much more, only when Epsom salts are used efficiently.
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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.
What Are The Symptoms Of Gout
If you think you are suffering from gout, how can you be sure? One of the tell-tale signs of gout is excruciating swelling and pain in the big toe, usually resultant of an injury. Gout may affect other joints intermittently, though, most often it affects the joints in the foot and knee. If left untreated, gout can become a chronic condition.
If you do not treat gout symptoms, your body may produce something called tophi which are little crystals that form disfiguring lumps near your joints and can also produce painful kidney stones.
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What Is Turf Toe
Turf toe, or hyperextension, is when you bend your big toe too far toward the top of your foot. It can cause a sprain of your toe or your ligaments surrounding it. Turf toe is a kind of metatarsophalangeal joint sprain, which means that at least one of your joints connecting your toe to the rest of your foot is injured.
Turf toe can happen during any sport or activity when your forefoot is on the ground with your heel up, and then you are pushed into a position of hyperextension of your toe. It most often occurs among football players on artificial grass. This is because the turf is harder and not as shock absorbent. Turf shoes also often have less protection in the forefoot because they tend to be more flexible.
Treatment for turf toe depends on the severity of the injury, which ranges from grade 1 to 3:
- Grade 1. Treatment for grade 1 turf toe involves the RICE method, which can be done at home, along with taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . You can return to sports once you can tolerate this level of activity.
- Grade 2. Grade 2 treatment focuses on improving your symptoms, which may include wearing a walking boot and partial weight-bearing. An MRI may be done to get a better idea of the extent of your injury.
- Grade 3. Grade 3 injuries may require 8 or more weeks of recovery and immobilization, and sometimes even surgery.
- joint pain or stiffness
- being unable to move your toe typically
- redness, discoloration, or swelling around your toe and joint
Does Soaking In Epsom Salt Help Gout
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Why Do I Suffer From Gout
One word: hyperuricemia. Or, in other words, increased uric acid in your blood. This is the reason why your joints are painful and inflamed. Uric acid is a normal product in your body it is a substance that breaks down purines in your body which are found in certain foods that we eat, in addition to being found in human cells. When your body overproduces uric acid, youre at risk for developing gout. But, why would your body overproduce uric acid?
The triggers of hyperuricemia include:
- Injury
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Eating large amounts of red meat and shellfish
- Dehydration
- Drinking sugary sodas
It is these types of triggers that can create the hyperuricemia, which can result in gout. When you overproduce uric acid, your kidneys have to work harder to flush out the extra uric acid out of your bloodstream, as they would normally do.
Help From Your Podiatrist During A Gout Attack
If your gout flare-up is so painful that youre having trouble being productive, please come see us at one of our convenient locations. We understand how painful gout is and work with you to provide immediate relief, while also taking measures to prevent future flare-ups. Some of the treatment options we offer include:
- Corticosteroids injections or pills
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Nutrition counseling
In severe cases when medication doesnt help your symptoms, you may need a surgical procedure to eliminate uric acid crystals that accumulate in your affected joint.
Partner with us to prevent gout or treat a flare-up. in Chesterfield, Clinton Township, Fort Gratiot, East China Township, Shelby Township, or Rochester, Michigan or .
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What Other Benefits Can I Get From Soaking In Epsom Salt
Epsom salts are a natural treatment that has been used for centuries. They help relieve pain and inflammation, but Epsom salts are a great way to rejuvenate and invigorate the body with its other health benefits:
- Increases brain functions, such as concentration.
- It is an effective way to soothe your body and reduce stress.
- Helps with poor sleep by relaxing your muscles and releasing magnesium. This helps the body produce better quality restorative slumber.
- When mixed in hot water, it helps to draw toxins out from your skin pores.
- Promotes the absorption of oxygen in your system, which helps boost general health and well-being!
- Improves nutrient absorption of your food due to the sulfate.
- Helps to soothe and moisturize the skin
- Prevents and relieves migraine headaches when you soak in hot water by releasing muscle tension.
S To Take During A Gout Flare
A gout attack is one of the most painful experiences you can have. It usually doesnt give you much warning, and comes on suddenly. According to the National Kidney Foundation, gout is on the rise and affects more than 8 million American adults.
In each of our locations in Michigan, our team at Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute welcomes patients who are suffering from this extremely agonizing form of arthritis. Our team of knowledgeable podiatrists offer some advice for ways you can manage your gout pain during a flare-up. But first, lets cover some general information about gout.
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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.
Treatment For Gout In The Hands
‘The Hands Are Another Hive Of Joints That Gout Loves To Attack’
Does your toe swell with gout? Is your heel a pain with gouty arthritis?
We offer independent expert advice on specific treatments for gout in the foot. No vagueness, just specific advice for exactly how to treat a painful foot with gout.
This is part of our series looking at specific treatments for gout in detail. Not just listing exercise, but which exercises for each part of your body affected by gout? Where so many big websites seek to offer generic advice that doesnt help at all, we seek to get to the heart of the issue.
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