6 Effective Tips for Gout Relief
Most gout patients are of the opinion that there is hardly anything in life which is more painful than a gout attack. When you realize that you have been affected by something in the joint that’s tender, swollen and immensely painful, then you are desperate to act fast for a quick gout relief. The primary objective of gout treatment is to provide fast relief from pain along with preventing future attacks. The treatment for quick gout relief includes medicines as well as steps that can be taken at home for managing the condition. Here are some tips that will give you some instant relief from gout pain:
- Have the right medications at your disposal
When gout pain attacks, take any over-the-counter medicines you have immediately. It could be a naproxen tablet which can help. But you should stay away from aspirin under all circumstances since it can worsen your condition. In case this is the repetition of any past attack, you must opt for the same anti-inflammation medicine that had eased your pain earlier. If you are already taking drugs for lowering your uric acid levels, you must continue with it to ease the pain. - Apply ice to the affected area
When you apply an ice pack to the affected joints, it would invariably lessen the pain and inflammation. You can wrap a bag of ice or any other frozen item around the affected joint for at least 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch as many times as you can for a quick gout relief. - Keep yourself hydrated
Consuming fluids in the form of fruit juice or plain water will help in flushing out the toxins which include uric acid, which causes joint pain and inflammation. It also helps in preventing the formation of kidney stones, which is a possible issue concerned with high uric acid levels. Aim for about 2 liters of healthy fluids in a day and around half of it should comprise plain water. - Stay away from alcohol
Even though it may appear to be tempting to take a drink once in a while when you are affected by gout pain, you should try to avoid alcohol under all circumstances, particularly beer since it is rich in purines. The body produces uric acid when it metabolizes these purines, and with the dose of alcohol, the toxins are prevented from being excreted out of the body. - Keep the affected part elevated and free
In case your knee or foot is affected by gout attack, you should try to raise it on a pillow or any other place so that it lies above your chest level. This, in turn, will help in reducing the inflammation and swelling. Even a thin bed sheet can get unbearable for the toe. You should, therefore, tuck the sheets in such a way so that the sheet end falls at the level of the calf, this way the painful joint can remain free. - Wear gout-friendly socks
Make sure you use socks so that you can keep your affected feet warm without the toe pain. You should also try to relax if possible as stress can worsen your gout pain.
Besides these quick gout relief tips, there are several natural remedies that can help in easing gout pain over the long term. Studies show that there are different types of diet recommendations for people suffering from gout and other allied health issues. Changing your lifestyle and diet can be a simple solution to mitigating the effects of gout. Here are some natural food items that can offer quick gout relief:
- Extract of celery seed: Various researchers have identified a host of anti-oxidants which are responsible for making celery effective for providing relief from gout pain. These include caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and flavonols such as quercetin. Also there are several supplements, and celery seed extracts available in the market, which is perfect for eliminating the effects of gout.
- Juice of black cherry: A recent study published in Arthritis and Rheumatism evaluated numerous individuals who were given black cherry extract for two days. It was associated with lower risk of gout attacks along with reducing the inflammation and build-up of uric acid.
- Nettles: Nettles are rich in an anti-inflammatory element, which makes it useful for the treatment of gout. It can be taken in both supplement and natural form and can also be consumed in the form of tea for a quick gout relief.It is important to note here that if an individual has a high level of uric acid without any gout pain, treatment may hardly be required. Also, ensure that high-prune foods should not be consumed. When anyone is plagued with extremely elevated levels of uric acid, he or she should undergo regular testing for signs of any damage to the kidney.