Home Remedies for Gout

Gout is a complex disorder, a form of arthritis which can strike anyone.



It is caused due to excess uric acid levels in the body. Uric acid is a natural waste product which gets broken down to purines and gets excreted from the body.



But when the kidneys excrete too little uric acid or the body produces more uric acid then uric acid can build up in the body causing urate crystals. These sharp, needle-like crystals accumulate in the joints or the surrounding tissues causing pain, swelling and inflammation.



Gout affects the large joint of the body which includes knees, wrist, hands, feet and ankles, but often the big toe is a prime target. Fortunately, gout is a treatable disease and with the help of some gout home remedies and lifestyle modifications the risk for recurrences can also be minimized.



Try the following gout natural remedies or home remedies for gout, listed below along with the medications prescribed by your specialist.

1. Rest when you have a gout attack – A gout attack normally hits at night leaving the skin of the joint swollen, tender and red hot.
   
   
   
   An attack can also last for days, so the best gout natural remedy is to rest and keep the affected joint in an elevated position.
2. Ice – Make a crushed ice pack and try applying ice on the joint if it is not too tender to touch. This is one good gout remedies as ice can have a soothing and numbing effect on the painful joint.
3. Lose some weight – Losing some weight naturally and gradually will help to decrease your uric acid levels in the body considerably.
   
   
   
   However avoid rapid weight loss through fad diets as this can temporarily cause the uric acid levels to rise in the body and affect the normal metabolism.
   

Quick diet tips as natural remedies for gout pain -

• Purine foods – limit the intake of purine rich foods which include spinach, lentils, peas, meat, organ meats, asparagus, yeast and shellfish. This is a good gout remedy.
• More low-fat dairy products can be chosen for proteins.
• Emphasize on more complex carbohydrates like whole cereals, grains and its products.
• Drink a lot of fluids, this will help to dilute and flush out the uric acid from the body. This is a good home remedy for gout.
• Avoid alcohol completely for home remedy gout as alcohol can inhibit the uric acid secretion from the body.
• Another natural remedy for gout is eating oranges or drinking a full glass of water with some lime squeezed in it, vitamin C present in these foods helps in gout.
• Certain foods and vitamins like coffee, vitamin C, cherries and other dark colored fruits like purple grapes, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries can help to reduce the uric acid levels in the body and can prove good remedies for the gout. But before including any food or vitamin C supplements in your diet talk to your specialist for an approval.