If you have gout, you know how terrible it is to deal with the symptoms associated with this condition. Typically speaking, a gout attack can happen anytime. However, there are some warning signs that you can watch out for and try to use easy gout remedies for easing your pain. But before looking into what these signs are and what remedies you can apply, it is important to understand what is gout and why does it happen.

What is gout and why does it happen?

Gout is basically a type of arthritis which can affect any part of the body. In most cases, the affected body parts are the ears, hands, small joints, wrists, ankles and the knees. The most prevalent symptoms of gout are an acute and intolerable pain in the affected area along with inflammation, swelling and tenderness in the joints. While the exact cause of gout is not known, excessive presence or production of uric acid is often linked to this condition. Other causes can be a sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of alcohol or too much protein intake. Genetics can also have a play in acquiring this condition. Also, stress can be one of the reasons why people can get gout attacks.

Gout can lead to other health issues too. Hypertension, diabetes, kidney stones (uric acid crystals) are a few of the complications that may develop due to gout. Hence, it is very important to treat this condition at the right time. While proper medical treatment can help, there are some very easy gout remedies that you can try at home, which have been tried and tested and found to be extremely effective in dealing with gout the right way.

Home care for gout flare-up

If you have been diagnosed with gout, you will have a few medicines that your doctor might have prescribed for a gout attack. The first thing you should do when you notice even the earliest sign of a gout attack is taking these prescribed medicines. You should then think about using some easy gout remedies that you can find at home to get relief sooner.

Home remedies for gout attack

While there can be quite a lot of remedies and home ingredients that can help in dealing with a gout flare-up, here are five such easy gout remedies that are very effective –

• Lemon juice: Lemon juice can alkalize your body and thereby reduce the impact of excessive uric acid. You can either drink lemon juice in water or even add a little baking soda for better results.
• Black Cherry juice: Cherries or a juice made of them can be helpful in minimizing gout flare-ups.
• Baking soda: Baking soda helps in lowering the uric acid levels. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and have it not more than four times a day to get relief from gout.
• Ginger root: Ginger root has many anti-inflammatory properties. In order to use it for gout, you can make a paste of ginger root and water and apply it to the affected joints. Massage well and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can mix a half teaspoon of ginger root to a cup of boiling water and drink it once daily.
• Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is very effective among the easy gout remedies. The acidity of the vinegar helps in reducing the acute pain associated with gout. You can add honey and a spoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it two to three times a day.

Apart from the medicines and the remedies, here are some self-care tips that will help you deal with a gout attack –

• Use cold compress:

The affected gout joints can be very sensitive but if the pain has just started and the pain isn’t too bad as yet, you can immediately try cold packs or cold compress on the affected joints. This will lessen the inflammation. You can use the ice on your joints for a good 30 minutes several times in the day.

• Give the joints enough rest:

It is a good idea to rest the joint as much as you can. Of course, the pain is quite significant and you may not want to move the affected joint anyway but keeping it elevated can be even more helpful.

• Keep a watch on what you eat and drink:

In order to stabilize the excessive uric acid in your body, you should be drinking lots of water. Also, avoid foods that are high in purines which may increase the uric acid levels in your body further. Organ meats like liver, seafood, and fatty foods are a definite no. So are fructose drinks and alcohol.

So, if you have gout, you definitely can try the above easy gout remedies and lead a life that is hassle-free. However, apart from the above remedies, it is important that you ensure you eat right. In terms of gout diet, plenty of vegetables, fruits, and organic meats are essential. In addition to that, you have to eliminate excess sugar and grains in your diet as well as processed meat. Of course, alcohol is not for you!