Relieving the Symptoms of Gout Naturally
Gout, which is also known as metabolic arthritis, is a painful condition with an excess of uric acid that travels to the articular cartilage through the bloodstream. While there are certainly medical treatments for gout, when you get a sudden attack of gout, you can utilize natural pain relief tactics in order to reduce your pain and other symptoms associated with the condition.
Gout
Gout mostly affects men, but it can also affect women. The most common joint to be affected is the big toe, but other joints in the body can also be affected, such as the knee, instep, ankle, heel, spine, fingers, elbow, and wrist. In attacks of gout, sudden, unexpected, horrible, burning pain is felt in the affected joint. Not only does gout cause pain, it also causes inflammation, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness in the joint or joints that are affected. Additionally, the skin covering the affected joint is typically extremely sensitive to the touch.
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid, which is deposited in the articular cartilage of joints from the bloodstream, according to Wikipedia. There are several things that can lead to an increased level of uric acid in the body. These include:
· Diabetes
· Medication used for high blood pressure
· Having more than one or two drinks of alcohol each night
· Diuretics can lead to decreased amounts of uric acid that leave the body in urine
· Being overweight
· Low-dose aspirin
· Narrowing of the arteries
· Genetics, family history of gout
· Being exposed to lead
Gout is very painful, but there are natural things individuals who suffer with the condition can do in order to treat acute attacks of gout.
Treating Acute Attacks of Gout Naturally
According to Natural Cures and Remedies, if you are experiencing a gout attack, you can take activated charcoal in order to reduce the pain you feel. The website suggests taking ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal when you wake up in the morning, in the middle of the morning, in the middle of the afternoon, and before you go to bed.
Another thing you can do to treat the acute pain of a gout attack is to apply and alternate hot and cold treatments. First, soak the affected joint in hot water for three minutes, and then put it in cold water for 30 seconds. Repeat the process three times.
Soaking your affected, hurting joint or whole body in Epsom salt can also help you reduce the pain from a gout attack. To soak your hurting foot or ankle in Epsom salt, put three tablespoons of Epsom salt into a large basin of hot water and soak your foot or feet in the Epsom salt water for 30 minutes.
In order to take a bath with Epsom salt, put one to two cups of Epsom salt into a tub of hot water and soak in it for 30 minutes. There should also be instructions on the package of Epsom salt for its various uses.
Another way to reduce the pain associated with a gout attack is to make a castor oil wrap. Soak a cloth in warm castor oil, then wring out excess oil before placing the cloth on the affected joint. Keep the castor oil-soaked cloth in place by wrapping plastic wrap (saran wrap) around your affected body part. Finally, apply heat to the area by putting a hot water bottle or heating pad on the hurting joint. Leave heat on it for one hour. Do this two times each day to reduce pain.
Finally, you can make an activated charcoal and flaxseed paste to put on your hurting joint. Mix three tablespoons of finely ground flaxseed with ½ cup of activated powdered charcoal. Next, mix warm water into the flaxseed and charcoal until it becomes a paste. Spread the paste directly onto the hurting joint and cover it with plastic wrap or a cloth. Change the bandage every four hours or leave the bandage on overnight while you sleep. Please note that charcoal can stain clothes and bedding, so caution should be taken when using this remedy.
Gout attacks are very painful, but utilizing these natural remedies will help you reduce the pain you feel when you suffer from an attack.
Sources:
Wikipedia: Gout
Natural Cures and Remedies: Creating Better Health Naturally: Gout – Immediate Relief and Help Through Natural Remedies
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