Home Treatment for Gout

A prevalence of high uric acid in one’s bloodstream will lead to the development of gout. Gout manifests when parts of the body, usually lower extremities such as the feet, swell and become painful to touch. The swelling and pain is caused by the formation of urates, which solidify around joints. The crystallization greatly hampers movement, causes pain and triggers the immune system reaction of swelling and fever. Gout may occur to both men and women, although it has been observed to inflict mostly men. Gout usually attacks the toes of the food first, then may spread to other body parts, especially where joints are involved. What causes gout? Factors which precipitate a high uric acid response include the intake of food high in purine, cold weather, a genetic predisposition to gout, drinks high in fructose, and the frequent consumption of ethanol and alcohol.

Gout is not limited only to one strata of society. Rich and poor alike develop gout. In fact, rich people may develop gout more often because of the high quantities of purine in food and wine.  Food which has been observed to cause gout include seafood, meat, tofu, poultry. Drinks which trigger uric acid include carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and wine. Gout can also follow after major diseases which cause problems in metabolism, such as tuberculosis, leukemia, and hypertension. Being exposed to traces of lead can also lead to a uric acid overdrive resulting in gout.

There are many treatments available for gout. Medicines are the most commonly used weapons against gout. These medicines can do a number of things. First, they can modify the body’s responses in order to prevent uric acid from building up, or lowering the current uric acid level. Second, they can make the body reject purine intake, thus preventing any uric acid response. Components common in anti-gout medicines include sodium bicarbonate, chondroitin sulfate, and potassium.

There are also more traditional and practical ways to combat gout. A treatment which does utilizes only little medicine, or no medicine at all, is considered as a good home treatment for gout. An example of a home treatment for gout involves padding the body with heat. This is done by wrapping the body, especially the affected part, with hot towels. Staying in a pool, sauna, or Jacuzzi is also a good home treatment for gout.. These treatments work on the premise that gout develops on body parts which are not receiving enough body hit. This is the case for lower extremities, such as the legs and feet, which develop uric acid easily, and are prone to various infections because of lack of proper body heat. This is supported by the fact that gout usually afflicts people during cold weather.

Another practical home treatment for gout involves developing the habit of eating only good food and beverages. Food which is purine-free and high in Vitamin C is recommended for those recovering from gout. Food such high in flavonoids and celery extracts have been shown to cure gout gradually.