Gout is a condition that can resemble arthritis because inflammation occurs throughout the body, affecting the health of the joints and kidneys. When there’s an excess of uric acid in the body it can create kidney stones, deposits of uric acid that cause the skin to lump (tophi), or deposits in the joints. When uric acid levels are high, gout can occur. If the condition progresses, one can experience a gout attack or acute gout, which is usually a burning sensation in the big toe, the most commonly affected body part.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gout usually occur suddenly and during the night. Gout symptoms often come without warning and in the form of a swollen big toe or lower body joint. Symptoms such as the swollen big toe are the end result of a problem that has been occurring in the body for a while. Other symptoms include:
- Intense joint pain (usually affecting the big toe or lower body joint; it can also occur in hands and wrists)
- Warmth, pain, or tenderness around joints
- Inflammation and redness (the affected joint will usually become inflamed and red)
- Limited range of motion in the affected joint
- Lingering discomfort (after initial gout attack)
- Peeling or itchy skin (around the affected joint)
Natural Remedies for Gout
Change Your Diet
Because gout can be caused by poor dietary choices, it’s best to eliminate soda, sugar, salt, alcohol, junk foods, processed foods, meat, dairy products, and genetically engineered foods from your diet. Two sodas, caffeinated or not, per day can increase your chance of getting gout by 85%. Stick to a plant-based or raw foods diet to get the purest nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts and seeds.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a natural alkalizing effect on the body. To use this natural remedy, mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8oz. of distilled water and drink once a day. This should help decrease the pain by about 90% after two days.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure to stay hydrated, as dehydration is one of the causes of gout. A good rule of thumb is to drink half you body weight in ounces of water per day. If you weigh 150lbs, then you should drink 75oz of water each day.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can help lower the amount of uric acid in the body. If you consume 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 8oz of water once or twice a day, it should help to reduce the pain of your gout symptoms. You may need to mix up to 3 teaspoons of baking soda in your water if your symptoms persist. When you feel the pain decreasing you can reduce the amount of baking soda you mix in with the water. Like any herbal remedy, be cautious because high amounts of baking soda can lead to high blood pressure.
