Gout is the inflammation of joints and swellings of a recurrent type. Middle-aged men and women, post menopause, are most affected. Gout attacks are sudden bouts of pain that is felt in the joints, especially in and around the big toe. These could result due to inflammation due to high levels of uric acid in the body. On a number of occasions, these gout attacks have occurred soon after a few days of binge drinking and eating lot of meat and diet rich in purine. Although, this is not the sole reason, but such events are known to trigger the impending gout attacks.
Symptoms of Gout
- Painful, tender, hot and swollen big toe.
- The affected foot cannot bear weight and even wrists and knees maybe affected during the acute stage.
- The attack occurs during mid-night or early hours of the morning.
- Loss of appetite and slight fever are other symptoms.
- They may generally lead to arthritis, formation of kidney stones.
- The pain is typically severe during the first 12-18 hour after which it may subside.
- Do not ignore the pain if it lasts for over a couple of days as they may indicate a much serious conditions.Severe gout cases may also end up affecting the kidneys.
Causes of Gout
- When blood is full of uric acid, needle shaped crystals are formed in the joints, skin and kidneys, which bring about attacks of gout.
- Certain human races are prone to it.
- Heredity, lack of proper exercise, eating protein and carbohydrate rich food regularly, stress, excessive intake of alcoholic drinks are other factors.
Natural Home Remedies of Gout
- Fast on orange juice and water for 5 days during acute attacks.
- Cleanse bowels with warm water enema.
- Follow an all-fruit 3-meal diet for 4 days.
- Adopt balanced diet:
- Breakfast – whole wheat bread, milk or buttermilk and apples, apricot, figs, mangoes or oranges.
- Lunch – steamed vegetables, whole wheat bread, buttermilk and cottage cheese.
- Dinner – raw vegetable salad, sprouts, butter and whole wheat bread.
- Avoid fish, eggs and meat.
- Start eating 15-25 cherries a day initially. Thereafter, about 10 cherries a day is sufficient.
- A combination of carrot juice, cucumber and beet juices is beneficial.
- Beans, green leafy vegetables, bananas and potatoes are rich in calcium and protect against gout.
- Fresh pineapple juice, raw potato juice and juice of french beans or string beans are effective.
- Full Epsom salt baths, thrice a week, and salt foot baths, twice daily, provides relief.
- Cold packs can be applied to the affected joints.
- For “toe gout attacks”, dip the affected area in a mixture of water and ginger juice for about 15-20. Make sure the mixture is warm. This will make your toe sweat and help eliminate a bit of uric acid. Clean your toe properly after this treatment.
- Vitamin C is known for it’s property of curing sore joints. Drink lime juice twice or thrice a day for it’s high Vitamin C content. The citric acid in lime is know to dissolve uric acid which is the main cause of gout.
- Eat two to three apples a day. Malic acid in the apple neutralizes the uric acid and provide relief from joint pain.
- Avoid alcohol completely when you are suffering from gout. Alcohol hampers the elimination of uric acid and toxic acids from the body and hence will make the pain worse.
- Avoid foods high in purine content. Purines are natural substances found in body cells. Most high protein foods contain a high level of purine. Purines break down to form uric acid. With a high intake of purine rich foods, the uric acid levels in the body will rise causing the formation of uric acid crystals which cause gout. Avoid purine rich foods like organ meat like kidney, fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, mussels. Avoid anchovies, liver, Cauliflower, Chicken, Chicken soup, Codfish, Crab, Duck, Goose, Halibut, Ham, Kidney beans, Lamb, Lentils.
- Related Topics
- Gout Natural Cure | Symptoms and Diet for Gout
- Raised Uric Acid Level Diet: Natural Remedies For Gout Treatment
- Gout And Uric Acid Levels: Foods To Be Avoided And Diet For Gout
- Natural Treatment for Gout | Causes and Symptoms of Gout
- Diet to Control Uric Acid Level | Hyperuricaemia Treatments | Gout Remedies
I have been suffering from severe pain in ankle, toe and fingers since 2006. Sometimes the pain is more from June to October. When my blood test was conducted we found Uric acid 8.5. What could be causing this problem? Is this gout? Are there any home remedies or natural treatment for gout pain?
Your serum uric acid level is high. You have, what is known as hyperuricaemia, a condition which results in gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by an increased concentration of serum uric acid.
The dietary treatment of gout involves the following:
1. A low purine diet:
Foods that can be eaten in moderation are – eggs, fruit, whole grains, milk, nuts, and olives. Foods that are to be avoided are – organ meats, mackerel, herring, anchovies, sardines, mushrooms, peas, shellfish, and spinach.
Legumes can be had once or twice a week.
2. Elimination of alcohol
3. Achieving an ideal body weight.
4. A liberal consumption of complex carbohydrates. Whole grains, vegetables, salads, fruits are complex carbs. Avoid sugar, honey, and jaggery.
5. Low fat intake.
6. Low protein intake
7. Liberal fluid intake. Liquids promote the excretion of uric acid. 2 liters a day is recommended.
These guidelines and home remedies will definitely keep the uric acid levels in check and prevent an attack of gout.
Food prescriptions that work wonders with Gout:
1. Celery: celery is highly effective in the treatment of gout. It inhibits the formation of uric acid, and staves off an attack of pain. Celery soup and salads are advocated daily.
2. Cherries: flavanoids in the cherries are very effective compounds to fight gout. They lower serum uric acid level considerably. In addition, cherries help reduce pain and inflammation to a great extent. Clinical studies have shown that consuming 250 grams of cherries everyday is extremely beneficial.
It is essential for you to remember that complete, permanent and lasting cure can be achieved only through a joint effort of a wholesome, healthy diet and timely medication.
Whole wheat bread: Some advice it should be avoided by some while recommended? Why this contradiction? Is it due to yeast? Also which part of chicken is safe for gout sufferers and how should it be cooked?