Gout can be a crippling, painful health condition. As a type of inflammatory arthritis, gout can make it difficult to live your normal life with aches, pain, and uncomfortable swelling.
8 million American adults are living with gout – about 4 percent of the population. And gout doesn’t always show warning signs before it strikes. It’s a condition that often appears suddenly, with the initial symptoms being painful swelling in lower body joints.
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Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid. When uric acid levels increase needle-like crystals can form in any joint. And that can leave you with sudden, severe pain.
Controlling and managing gout means you need to be aware of your uric acid levels. And fortunately, that’s something that you may be able to do with natural, at-home remedies. By trying a few different natural remedies, you might be able to reduce the frequency of gout flares and live life more freely.
The following are some of the top natural remedies you can use to treat or manage gout.
Cherries
This sweet, tart summer fruit might help you prevent future gout attacks and flare-ups.
According to a recent research survey, cherries of any kind are reported to successfully help soothe many gout sufferers’ pain. And they can also prevent and reduce the frequency of gout attacks.
Cherries are effective whether you eat them raw, in any variety, or even when made into tart cherry juice. The research findings recommend consuming three servings of cherries for two days to get the maximum benefits from this remedy.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that many people try to include in a healthy diet. While it can have a positive effect on the body, it may also be able to specifically help gout sufferers.
A 2015 research study discovered that maintaining an adequate level of magnesium – or, avoiding a magnesium deficiency – can result in lower, healthier levels of uric acid. And that small factor can lower the risk of gout.
The study points to magnesium being more effective in men than women. However, if you’d like to try a magnesium supplement for your gout, you can find these at many stores. You can also increase your magnesium intake by eating magnesium-rich foods, like avocados and nuts, daily.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most popular natural remedies for inflammation. It’s often recommended for arthritis sufferers, as well as any other condition that can cause pain and swelling due to inflammation in the body.
And it’s also known to be beneficial for gout sufferers. Multiple research studies have found that ginger directly affect gout and its symptoms – ginger can reduce pain, reduce uric acid levels, and soothe any inflammation.
You can reap the benefits of ginger in two primary ways. You can create a ginger compress by mixing fresh ginger and boiling water to make a paste, which can be applied on your skin. Or, you can sip on ginger by steeping ginger root in boiling water, then drinking that water.
Nettle Tea
Nettle tea is a unique kind of tea that could help with the symptoms of a gout attack. Created from the stinging nettle, this herbal remedy has been used throughout history.
It’s thought that drinking nettle tea may reduce inflammation and help lower pain caused by gout. However, while this remedy is mentioned frequently in studies and personal accounts, there isn’t any direct research that proves nettle tea can positively affect gout sufferers.
If you’re interested in giving this remedy a try, you can boil water like you normally would for tea. When it’s ready, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried nettle in your cup. It’s okay to drink up to 3 cups in one day.
Other Tips for Treating Gout Naturally
The natural remedies mentioned here are easy enough to try on your own, any time you’re looking for something that may be able to reduce your gout attacks or help soothe your symptoms. And there are many other natural options you can turn to if you need another treatment method.
Part of treating gout and managing your overall health is working to reduce the odds of a gout flare-up. If you can prevent an attack altogether, you won’t need to worry about inflammation, pain, or other uncomfortable symptoms.
The following natural remedies and easy at-home habits can help you reduce the possibility of a gout flare-up.
Stick to a Gout-Friendly Diet
What you eat can directly affect your gout. An unhealthy diet, or a diet that contains foods that can result in high uric acid, will increase your risk for frequent flare-ups and attacks.
Make an effort to adjust your diet, avoiding trigger foods and anything that could aggravate your symptoms. Red meat, seafood, foods high in sugar, and alcohol are common gout triggers, according to medical research. Swap these foods out for better options, like low-sugar fruits, plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and protein-filled nuts and legumes.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is important whether or not you’re worried about a gout attack. Keeping your body hydrated ensures your kidneys function at their best – and when you have gout, your kidneys need to be in good shape.
Hydration is key in flushing out your body’s natural systems and keeping the kidneys at their best. Drinking plenty of water will also reduce the buildup of uric acid and its painful crystals. That can, in turn, prevent gout flare-ups.
Rest and Relax
When a gout flare-up happens, don’t push yourself. Instead, take it easy and get plenty of rest.
Moving, exercising, and trying to carry out your normal activities may increase your pain and discomfort during a flare-up. When your joints are already inflamed, putting weight on them can only make matters worse. Focus instead on getting rest, trying hot and cold therapy to soothe the pain, and being light on your joints.
Ultimately, living with gout does have its challenges. Managing gout requires special care and effort – but fortunately, natural remedies can be a big help. If you’d like to find new ways to care for your joints and your overall well-being, you can find natural remedies like these easily. They may be able to lessen your pain, reduce inflammation, or help you manage gout overall.
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