How to Treat Gout with Home Remedies

Gout is an inflammatory joint disease that afflicts men and women in the joints of their feet or in their knees. The inflammation is usually the result of dietary choices, especially overindulgence in alcohol. It occurs chronically and can often bring on bouts of terrible pain and burning sensations in the affected joints. This distress can be so bad that people will wake up from a sound sleep due to the ache. Gout is one of those conditions about which most doctors can do little more than prescribe painkillers and bill you. There are several less expensive home remedies.

Diet

• Change the way that you eat to alleviate some of gout's worst symptoms. For a long time, doctors thought that gout was caused entirely by diet. It was once called the rich man’s disease because people thought that you could only get it from eating large quantities of meat, seafood and alcohol. It is, in fact, caused by large quantities of uric acid building up in the bloodstream and forming crystals. Alcohol and certain meats do raise the levels of uric acid in your blood, so it would be good to avoid them.

Soaking

• Reduce the pain associated with gout episodes by keeping materials for soaking ready at all times. When the pain increases, immerse your feet or other joints in one of several combinations of water, herbs and other substances. Effective herbs include white willow bark and ginger root. You can also make a paste out of some substances and apply them to the swollen joints for relief. Try this with a paste made from activated powdered charcoal and water and let it sit for half an hour.

Exercise

• Include exercise in your life if you have not done so previously. This is not a direct remedy for gout, but excess weight exacerbates the problem. Improved nutrition and an active life will reduce the severity of gout episodes over time and improve both mood and energy levels. Do not exercise during painful episodes. Wait for the pain to subside before beginning an exercise regimen.

Rest

• Rest the suffering joint as soon as possible after an attack starts. Elevate the joint to reduce blood flow and alleviate swelling. If possible, continue to relax this part of your body for as much as 24 hours after an episode.