Gout
What Is Gout?
Gout is one of the most painful health problems and is usually felt in the big toe. It is a condition that is the result of crystals of uric acid depositing in the tissues of the body. When the body is unable to break down uric acid it accumulates causing inflammation of the joint(s). Uric acid is also known for causing kidney stones.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes your body either produces too much or excretes too little of this acid. In that case, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needle-like crystals (urate) in a joint or surrounding tissue that causes pain, inflammation and swelling. The cause of intense pain is when inflammation occurs in the joint as white blood cells surround the uric acid crystals.
Gout occurs more often in men than it does in women. Women are more susceptible, however, after menopause.
Gout Symptoms
Gout symptoms are almost always acute and occur suddenly and without warning. It is most likely to happen at night while you are sleeping.
Intense joint pain, usually in the big toe. It can, however, also occur in any other joint in the body such as the knees, wrists, fingers and other joints in the foot.
The acute pain usually lasts 3 to 10 days.
There is inflammation of the joint causing the affected joint to become swollen, tender and red.
The Stages of Gout
There are four stages of gout according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS):
Asymptomatic gout -- Elevated uric acid levels in the blood but no other symptoms.
Acute gouty arthritis -- Hyperuricemia causes deposit of uric acid crystals in the joint. There are intense symptoms of pain and inflammation. Initial, acute attacks usually last between 3-10 days.
Interval gout -- The time between acute gout attacks with no symptoms and normal joint function. Episodes can vary between a few months to every few years or longer. Sometimes the symptoms don't go completely away between episodes and there is some degree of joint pain all the time.
Chronic tophaceous gout -- This is the disabling stage of gout after many years. There is permanent damage to affected joints and sometimes the kidneys.
What Increases Uric Acid Levels?
- Too much alcohol -- more than one or two drinks a day
- Being overweight
- Diabetes
- Narrowing of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- High blood pressure drugs
- Low-dose aspirin can increase uric acid levels
- Genetics -- many people with gout have a family history of gout
- Exposure to lead
- Diuretics can decrease the amount of uric acid passed in the urine
Things You Can Do For Immediate Pain Relief From Gout
Make a charcoal/flaxseed poultice. Mix 1/2 cup activated powdered charcoal and 3 tablespoons finely ground flaxseed. Add warm water until you create a paste. Put paste directly on the affected area and cover with cloth or plastic. Change the dressing every four hours or leave on over night. Be careful as charcoal can stain your bedding or clothing.
You can also take activated charcoal orally to lower uric acid levels. Take 1/2 teaspoon when you first wake up, at midmorning, at mid-afternoon and again at bedtime.
Use a castor oil pack. Soak a piece of white flannel in warm castor oil, wring out excess and place over the affected area. Cover it with plastic wrap and apply heat using a heating pad or hot water bottle. Do this twice daily for about one hour.
Alternate hot and cold applications to alleviate pain. Soak in hot water first for three minutes and then in cold water for a half minute. Do this about three times.
Take an Epsom salt foot bath. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts in a pan/basin of hot water big enough to put your feet or foot in. Soak for about a 1/2 hour. Taking a whole body bath in Epsom salts is also beneficial. There are usually instructions on the Epsom salts package but you should use about one or two cups.
Lower Uric Acid Levels and Improve or Eliminate Gout
Apple Cider Vinegar -- Take one tablespoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar in a glass of water twice a day. ACV creates a more alkaline environment which is beneficial in improving gout.
Cherry Juice -- Drink 100% cherry juice. Cherries contain anthocyanins that are effective in reducing inflammation and reducing uric acid levels in your blood. Or take 1 teaspoon 2 times per day of cherry juice concentrate (without the sugar). You should continue to take cherry juice for the rest of your life to prevent recurring episodes of gout.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids -- Eat flaxseed, walnuts and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin E as they limit the production of leukotrienes that can cause inflammation.
Cod Liver Oil -- Take 1 teaspoon per day of high-vitamin cod liver oil to supply vitamin A. Vitamin A reduces uric acid buildup and is good for kidney health.
Devil's Claw -- It is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Do not take if you have stomach ulcers or a heart condition.
Boswellia -- It is known to relieve pain and inflammation.
Celery Seeds -- Cook 1 tablespoon of celery seeds in 2 cups of water. When seeds become soft then drain and keep the water. Drink half a cup 4 times a day. Celery seeds reduce uric acid.
Berries -- Eat strawberries, blueberries, goji berries whenever possible.
Finally, you should eat a healthy diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables. Stop eating packaged, processed, deep fried and fast foods and don't drink too much coffee or alcoholic drinks.
Additional Resources and Information About Gout:
Here's a web page where people talk about what has worked for them and also ask some questions.
Cure Gout
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Gout-Gone
Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves symptoms of gout, swelling, inflammation and burning pain in small joints.
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