|  | Conditions Treatments | Gout

Instant Gout Cure

Once thought to be a disease affecting only wealthy people with lavish eating and drinking habits, gout causes pain for many men and women. Though most medical professionals agree that the condition is not curable, it is treatable not only with medications, but also with natural remedies and lifestyle changes.

  1. Definition and Symptoms

    • According to Jan Nissl, RN, BS, gout is more common in men than in women. It affects men between ages 30-50 and mostly postmenopausal women. Most gout sufferers have a family history of the disease. WebMD defines gout as "a form of arthritis (an inflammation of the joints) that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling (inflammation) in some joints. It usually affects one joint at a time." Symptoms include severe and sudden pain accompanied by red joints that are warm when touched. The condition, which is officially diagnosed by a blood test, is the result of a buildup of uric acid in the blood. Toes are usually affected first, but gout can also strike other joints.

    Conventional Medical Treatments

    • Stephen J. McPhee and others on the Seekwellness Website say that high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid drugs (injected at the site) can help to control symptoms. Medicinenet warns that long term treatment can produce unpleasant side effects. While there are some drugs approved to reduce uric acid levels, doctors do not give these medications to patients experiencing acute attacks because they can increase inflammation and pain.

    Relief with Home Remedies

    • Home remedies seem to offer safer and longer lasting results for patients suffering from gout. McPhee and others mention black cherry juice as a potential treatment for gout. "Black cherry juice, available at health food stores, may prevent attacks and shorten acute attacks according to claims from others with gout. Black cherry extract is also available in tablet form." Simple strategies such as applying ice packs to affected areas may also provide relief, according to Medicinenet.

    Quick Results with Lifestyle Changes

    • The most successful results for gout treatments seem to come from lifestyle changes. The Cleveland Clinic Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases and WebMd say that uric acid levels can change due to what a person eats or drinks. McPhee and others recommend "doing everything you can to support the healthy function of your blood cleaners -- the liver and kidneys. The better they are working, the better they can clean your blood of uric acid and toxins." Drinking enough fluids, limiting meat consumption, and avoiding foods high in purines such as "anchovies, asparagus, crab, fish roe (caviar), herring, kidney, liver, meat gravies and broths, mushrooms, mussels, peas, beans, and sardines." Avoiding alcohol is also key to the relief of gout symptoms. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight contribute to the reduction of gout related pain. After a diagnosis, researching and implementing home remedies, purine-free or purine-modified diets, and other lifestyle changes can bring quick relief to the pain and suffering related to gout.

Gout - Related Articles