Gout occurs when the body doesn't eliminate enough uric acid or produces an excess amount of the substance. The excess acid crystallizes in the joints, causing severe pain and inflammation. A type of arthritis, gout can be hereditary or it can result from high levels of triglycerides in the blood, drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis, eating food rich in purines or from other medical conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, gout occurs most frequently in men over the age of 40 who also have a family history of the condition. However, it may affect anyone at any time.
Symptoms of Gout
The most common symptoms of gout include pain, which typically becomes severe, in a single joint. The pain typically begins at the base of the big toe, although it can also affect other joints including the feet, fingers, ankles, wrists, knees and elbows. Other common signs and symptoms of gout include:
- Shiny, swollen, red or purple joint that feels stiff and hot to the touch.
- A fever up to 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit, with or without chills.
- Symptoms that develop quickly and remain for 5 to 10 days, with the first gout episode usually occurring at night.
- Lumps, also known as tophi, that appear just below the surface of the skin in the hands, elbows, knees, feet and/or outer ear in later gout attacks.
Preventing Gout
If you have a family history of gout or if you've had a gout attack in the past, consider taking preventative measures before symptoms appear. Of course, eating healthy and getting enough exercise should be a priority for maintaining health, but there are a few specific things you may want to avoid to prevent gout.
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void foods high in cholesterol to keep your triglyceride levels as low as possible. - Avoid drinking more than one alcoholic drink each day.
- Avoid eating foods high in purine, such as red meat, shellfish and organ meats. Uric acid is formed when purine breaks down, so these foods are especially dangerous to individuals prone to gout.
- Drink lots of water, at least four to six glasses a day, to help flush excess uric acid from the body. During a gout attack, increase the amount of water to at least eight glasses a day for the best results.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, fruits and vegetables, and increase your daily intake of fiber-rich foods including whole grain breads, pastas and cereals.
- Take a daily multivitamin to ensure you're getting adequate nutrients.
Treating Gout Naturally
Always visit a qualified health care provider if you experience gout symptoms. Your doctor will most likely prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to help relieve swelling and pain. However, there are also several gout home remedies you can use in addition that may help alleviate some of the pain and inflammation. Be sure to ask your doctor before using natural remedies, however, especially if you currently take prescription medications, as interactions could occur.
- Take 500 to 1000 mg of vitamin C daily. In a study published in 2009 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that individuals prone to gout attacks had a lower incidence of developing symptoms after increasing daily vitamin C intake.
- Drink 8 to 16 oz. of black cherry juice daily during an attack and/or as a preventative. Cherries have been proven to lower uric acid levels in laboratory studies. If necessary, replace the cherry juice with fresh cherries. Eating about ½ lb. each day helps reduce uric acid and relieve gout symptoms.
- Eat celery stalks or take celery seed extract to help combat gout. Like cherries, celery also reduces uric acid levels. For the best results, simply eat four celery stalks daily or take four to six celery seed extract tablets daily.
- Take freeze-dried stinging nettle capsules or drink nettle tea. The herb has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate the pain and swelling associated with gout. Take 600 mg of the herb in capsule form or make your own tea by steeping 1 tsp. dried nettle leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to three cups a day, as needed.
About the Author: Caryn Windfield is an herbalist, aromatherapist, writer and founder of The Modern Herbal, a resource for information on alternative medicine topics.
