Gout Self-Care Guide: Natural Remedies to Try

gout-self-care

There are an estimated 9.2 million people in the United States living with gout. This condition is a type of arthritis notable because of sudden and severe joint pain. While these symptoms can make daily activities difficult during flare-ups, learning natural remedies and practicing self-care techniques can help improve your overall quality of life.

Today, we’re looking at the causes and symptoms of gout you may experience. To manage this condition and potentially prevent the frequency or likelihood of future flare-ups, we’re also giving you natural home remedies for gout you can try. Continue reading this gout self-care guide to get your condition back under control and find relief.

What Causes Gout?

As with any health condition, the first step towards gout self-care is understanding what it is. Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid building up in blood and forming crystals in your joints. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines, which are found naturally in your body and certain foods. Typically, uric acid dissolves in your blood and is removed from your body through urine. If your body produces too much uric acid or isn’t removing enough from your body, it’ll accumulate and form sharp crystals in your joints, which leads to pain and inflammation symptoms of gout.

There’s currently no cure for gout, but understanding its causes can help manage your symptoms during flare-ups. Common factors that could lead to developing gout include:

  • Family medical history or genetics.
  • Obesity.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension).
  • Diabetes.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Poor dietary choices of foods high in purines.

By identifying and addressing these factors, people living with gout can take proactive steps to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups with effective gout self-care routines.

Common Gout Symptoms

Before you can determine which home remedies for gout you want to try first, you need to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the condition. Recognizing which symptoms you’re experiencing can help determine which natural remedies for gout to try first. Each person is different, so how your body responds to gout self-care will be different from how someone else does.

Common gout symptoms to be on the lookout for are:

  • Sudden and severe joint pain
  • Swelling and redness in the affected area
  • Warmth in the joints
  • Limited range of motion
  • Persistent discomfort

Home Remedies for Gout Self-Care

Now we’re to the most important part of this gout self-care guide: remedies you can try to manage your symptoms and keep things under control. These home remedies for gout may help alleviate symptoms and potentially prevent future flare-ups. As always, it’s important to consult your doctor before beginning any new health routine.

From drinking enough water to adding a zero gravity chair to your daily routine, these natural remedies for gout are simple lifestyle adjustments that not only facilitate gout self-care, but also help you live a healthier life overall.

  1. Staying hydrated for gout relief
  2. Applying ice for gout treatment
  3. Lowering stress levels to treat gout
  4. Elevating areas affected by gout
  5. Drinking coffee for gout self-care
  6. Cutting your socks during a gout flare-up
  7. Starting a relaxing gout self-care routine

1. Staying Hydrated for Gout Relief

Drinking enough water is important for people living with gout. Having plenty of water in your system flushes out uric acid from your body and reduces the likelihood of crystal formation in your joints. It’s also good for how to keep joints healthy overall.

You should try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If plain water isn’t your favorite, you can get creative with other water-based beverages like herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee to help you try to drink more water each day. Keeping a water bottle handy and setting reminders to drink water regularly can help create and maintain this healthy habit.

2. Applying Ice for Gout Treatment

Ice therapy, sometimes called cold therapy, is a gout self-care routine that helps alleviate pain and swelling. Applying an ice pack to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day reduces inflammation and numbs the pain.

Make sure you wrap any ice pack or cold compress in a cloth or towel before you apply it to your skin. This prevents soft tissue damage. Regular applications of ice therapy can significantly alleviate the discomfort associated with gout flare-ups.

3. Lowering Stress Levels to Treat Gout

Stress can make gout symptoms worse. This means finding ways to lower your stress levels should be on the top of your list of home remedies for gout. Techniques like calming breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga help with how to regulate nervous system responses and improve your overall mental and physical well-being.

Other activities like reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature are also good choices. It’s up to your personal preference for what helps you relax and unwind. Many people have started incorporating a zero gravity chair into their routine. A reclining zero gravity chair provides a wide range of potential health benefits for your mind and body, giving you a tool you can use daily to manage stress levels more efficiently.

4. Elevating Areas Affected By Gout

Like athletes boosting their recovery methods, elevating the affected area during a gout flare-up can help reduce swelling and pain. Conventional methods include propping up your feet or hands on pillows while resting to improve blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Zero gravity chairs have taken this to a new level and improved how to practice gout self-care more effectively.

The zero gravity position elevates your legs above your heart level and distributes body weight evenly. This serves as the catalyst for the many potential health benefits these recliners provide such as increasing blood flow throughout your body, keeping joints healthy, and supporting deeper relaxation. Using a zero gravity chair for inflammation or pain relief should become part of your daily routine to treat current symptoms and as part of your home remedies for gout to try and prevent the frequency of future flare-ups.

5. Drinking Coffee for Gout Self-Care

There are studies that suggest drinking coffee may lower the risk of gout by reducing uric acid levels in the body2. However, it’s important to note that you should avoid adding sugar and cream to your coffee whenever possible, as these can negate the benefits.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, consider decaffeinated options. In addition to coffee’s potential benefit for lowering uric acid levels, this beverage helps you drink more water, practicing two home remedies for gout at once.

6. Cutting Your Socks During a Gout Flare-Up

During a gout flare-up, even the pressure of socks can cause pain and discomfort. Cutting the toes of your socks can relieve pressure on the affected area and reduce pain. You could also choose to wear loose socks or no socks at all to minimize irritation and give the inflamed area a chance to breathe.

This simple adjustment for gout self-care can make a positive difference during a flare-up.

7. Starting a Relaxing Gout Self-Care Routine

Establishing a relaxing night time routine to practice during flare-ups is another method of gout self-care to consider. Consider activities like taking warm baths with Epsom salt, gentle stretching exercises, and using a zero gravity chair for better rest and relaxation. Zero gravity chairs are particularly beneficial for helping your mind and body unwind after a long day. They’re also useful tools to help with how to improve sleep quality and wake up feeling better.

These activities reduce stress levels, improve circulation, and alleviate pain caused by gout. Being consistent is key, so make time for gout self-care every day to see the best results.

Start Practicing Gout Self-Care for Better Overall Health

Your gout-self care techniques won’t disrupt your life. In fact, they’ll help you regain control over your symptoms and help you feel better faster. From making sure you’re drinking enough water and resting properly to using a zero gravity chair each day, home remedies for gout fit can fit seamlessly into your schedule. As always, consult with your doctor for professional guidance before making any significant changes to your self-care regimen.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.

Additional Sources

  1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/gout-6273971
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4947733/
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