All About Gout
What is Gout?
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of waste products in the body, usually through excessive consumption of certain foods. Very painful and disfiguring, gout is fortunately easily treatable in most patients. It is most commonly found in the big toe, but is also very common in the forefoot, ankle, and even knee. The pain is usually initially located directly above the joint; however, it may spread slightly to the big toes and even the entire foot if left untreated. When you experience gout, you may see swelling, redness, extreme inflammation, extreme temperature change, pain, and even bruising. Most of these symptoms are experienced on only one side of the body, however, some gout sufferers experience pain and burning on both sides.
If you have been diagnosed with gout, there are several gout remedies that are available. The first step towards achieving gout pain relief is to consult a doctor. It's important to understand that gout is not actually a disease, but merely a symptom. As such, it is treatable with the same medications used to treat arthritis. For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are prescribed to reduce inflammation, which in turn reduces pain and helps with gout pain relief. That being said, it is always beneficial to ask your doctor to determine what is causing your gout.
Over the counter gout pain relief medications such as naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen, and acetaminophen (Tylenol). These medications should only be taken with the advice and supervision of a medical professional. If you do take these gout pain medications, make sure you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. To prevent gout attacks, avoid eating or drinking gout triggers. The best way to prevent gout is to know what gout triggers are. You can do this by consulting your doctor.
Gout pain relief can also come in the form of using natural gout remedies such as herbs and gout foot cream. These natural gout remedies help to restore proper balance to your body's fluids and rid it of harmful toxins. Herbs that are effective gout remedies include lemon balm, devil's claw extract, hawthorn, ginger, and hawthorn berries. You can find these is specialized gout teas and gout shampoos.
Some gout pain relief comes from specialized gout shoes. Gout shoes or boots help prevent the further development of gout by cushioning the joints and feet and preventing excessive inflammation. Many gout sufferers prefer shoes made of leather since they are softer than other types of shoes. However, if you suffer from severe gout attacks and do not want to wear special gout shoes, there are also some other types of shoes that can provide you relief from gout pain. Again, consulting with a foot specialist is the best way to determine the correct choice.
It is important to understand also that gout pain relief is not possible in all cases. It would be much better if you could get instant gout pain relief. For instance, if you are gout prone, it would be better for you to consult your doctor immediately and ask for medication. It would be better if you could avoid those foods that are known to be gout triggers. The moment you start eating those foods, your gout flare-ups would only get worse. You should also try to live a healthier life and try to get enough exercise.
Although gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis, it is treatable. Nevertheless, the sooner you seek gout remedies, the sooner you can prevent gout attacks from recurring. In addition, remember that gout does not occur due to only one form of food. There are many foods that you can eat and still avoid gout pain. In fact, gout can strike anyone regardless of their gender, age and weight. So, make sure that you always have a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to prevent gout and the associated gout pain.
