Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sudden attacks and is very painful. You can relieve yourself of the pain and control the condition faster using natural remedies that speed up the healing process through various mechanisms.
Gout
The primary cause of gout is the upsurge of the levels of uric acid. When this uric acid reaches a certain level, crystals are formed that are then deposited mostly in joints and soft body tissues. The body has its own ways of cleaning up this excess uric acid although it may be overwhelmed at some point leading to a gout attack. The known risk factors include taking a high purine diet such as beer, sardines, organic meat, and red meat. Being overweight, taking certain drugs, having some diseases, and having a family history of gout are also significant risk factors for gout.
Gout is more prevalent for middle-aged men than women although women who have reached menopause are also at risk due to the changes in hormones they experience at that time.
Gout symptoms include swellings, redness, inflammation, and severe pain in joints caused by sharp crystals formed from uric acid. As the body fights this formation and deposit of crystals in joints, it results in more inflammation and swelling.
Relieving the Pain
A person developing gout will experience severe pain forcing them to seek home techniques of relieving the pain. These home remedies include:
- Flax-seed or Charcoal Poultice – Mix 3 tablespoons of flax-seed that is finely ground with a half a cup of activated charcoal. Add the mixture into warm water and stir to form a paste then apply it to the joints or areas affected by gout. Cover using a soft cloth or plastic. You can apply the paste every 4 hours. You can also use before going to bed and repeat in the morning. Charcoal causes stains, so it is important to keep the applied areas covered well to avoid dirtying your clothes or sheets.
- Activated charcoal – Take a half teaspoons of activated charcoal daily in order to lower the levels of uric acid in the blood. You can find activated charcoal at most stores.
- Castor oil – Warm an appropriate amount of castor oil and dip a piece of soft cloth in it. Cover the affected area using the piece of cloth. Wrap the piece of cloth with plastic then apply heat such as by using hot water in a bottle or a heating pad. Follow this process twice daily for about one.
- Hot/Cold Packs – Use a heating pad and an ice pack alternatively for about 15 minutes each. Do this three times daily in order to boost the flow of blood to the affected areas and to ease inflammation and pain.
- Epsom Salt Soaks – Add 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts to a bowl containing hot water. This treatment is useful for relieving pain in the toes, ankles, and feet. Soak the affected area into the affected area for around 30 minutes. For the whole body, add between 1 and 3 cupfuls of the Epsom salts into a bathtub. Soak in the tub for about 30 minutes to relieve pain over the whole body.
These natural methods of relieving gout pain provide an effective and safe way to control the condition. It is crucial to seek the attention of a qualified physician before embarking on the home remedies.
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