Tips for gout relief
Tips for gout relief
Gout is unfortunately a type of arthritis that many have suffered through for centuries. The cause of gout is medically known as uric acid deposits that infiltrate the joint spaces and the connective tissue. The uric acid deposits are made of fine pointed crystalline (needle-like crystals) and thus the pain of gout issues from the deposits. Generally the pain associated with gout is felt in the early morning hours when the sufferer is asleep.
Gout relief can be achieved through traditional treatment. The treatment consists of Indomethacin or NSAIDS to stop the pain. This is followed by anti-inflammatories to bring down the inflammation. Then one of two drugs, by the names of Allopurinol or Colchicine, is given in order to stop or at least slow down the formation of uric acid. It is unfortunate that even though each of these gives gout relief, Allopurinol and Colchicine has some rather serious side effects. The worst of these side effects is possible loss of kidney function.
In some people food allergies have been found to cause gout, thus gout relief may be gotten by stopping the food that is causing the allergy. Often one needs to go through a battery of allergy testing before finding out the one that is causing the allergic reaction.
Because stress often creates gout in some, it is recommended that the stress be either properly managed or in the very least dealt with to counter the amount of stress the body has felt. Removing stress through psychotherapy can often spell gout relief.
Potassium loss has often resulted in gout, thus raising the potassium level of some patients will bring quick gout relief. Potassium levels may be raised by either taking potassium supplements, or in eating foods that are rich in potassium such as baked potatoes, cooked spinach, dried peaches, avocado, cantaloupe, lima beans, bananas, orange juice, raw carrots, skim milk, yogurt, yams and dried prunes to name but a few.
Home remedies for gout relief are common and include but are not limited to: alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, ginger, bilberry, grapes, black cherry juice, black cohash, nettle, blueberries, parsley, buchu tea, red clover, castor oil, spearmint, cayenne pepper, strawberries and celery seeds to name a few.
Since alcohol, beer, carbonated soft drinks and coffee have been known to bring about gout attacks, you should stay away from drinking those when you have an attack of gout and this will help bring you gout relief. Once the attack has passed, you may drink these in very moderate amounts although there may be an indication that stopping these altogether will spell gout relief for good.
In general gout relief as well as gout prevention can be achieved by following a diet that is low in purines. This means totally avoiding foods such as red meats, shell fish, gravy, liver, kidneys and tongue. Other foods that are moderately high in purines include anything that contains yeast, white flour, sugar and other sweets, rice and pastas.
