Treatments for Gout

Gout – a ”complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints” – is incredibly painful and definitely requires treatment, especially if it’s a recurring condition. These gout treatments run the gamut from medically-approved approaches like weight loss and water hydration to meditation and cutting out alcohol and even debated new age remedies including eating tofu and even ingesting backing soda.

Weight Loss:

Weight loss is one of the key treatments for gout. For starters, a healthy diet that encourages weight loss is almost by definition going to be low in purines, the compound which leads to increased uric acid and urate crystals an in-turn gout. Furthermore, research has shown that losing weight lowers uric acid levels and reduces the number of gout attacks even if it’s not due to a specifically purine-restricted diet.

Eat Complex Carbohydrates:

What carbohydrates to eat while suffering from gout can be a tad confusing to some. Refined carbohydrates like white bread, candy, sweets, and cakes should most likely be avoided. However, complex carbohydrates like whole grains, cereals, pasta, rice, and some vegetables and fruits can help lower uric acid levels.

Stay Hydrated:

Drinking water  is one of the easiest ways to combat gout, as water helps flush uric acid and urate crystals from someone’s system. In fact, according to Dr. Payam Shakouri, a nephrologist with the Advanced Kidney Care of Hudson Valley in New York, “A well-hydrated patient should drink enough to urinate every two to three hours.”

Eat Healthy Fats:

According to goutandyou.com healthy fats are essential to a gout-battling diet. The site writes,  “…you want to be eating mostly omega-3s which help fight inflammation, lower cholesterol and control blood clotting. So eating fresh fish like salmon, trout, flaxseed, walnuts and soy are excellent sources.”

Make Room for Tofu:

There’s some debate here. Some claim that lean proteins, including tofu, are another smart food choice to treat gout as they’re low in purines. However, one notable study found that found that “soybeans, soy milk, and soy powder increased uric acid in the blood significantly” which would arguably make tofu a bad choice. Perhaps this is a case where the classic “everything in moderation” phrase is the answer.

Relax:

Relaxation is key to healing from a gout attack. This goes both physically – staying off the feet, and avoiding the use and abuse of the afflicted joint – and mentally. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation recommends “meditation, yoga breathing, mindfulness, and guided imagery” to help “deal with the pain.”

Soak and Compress:

According to Healthline, soaking in water is recommended for dealing with joint inflammation from gout. According to experts, “soaking in cold water is most often recommended and considered most effective” however hot water can also be used once the inflammation goes down.

Avoid Alcohol and Sugar:

Arthitis.org spells out very succinctly why alcohol and sugars should be avoided when attempting to treat gout:

“Beer and liquor readily convert to uric acid and they slow down its elimination… Drinking sugary beverages, such as sodas sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, fruit juices or other sugar-containing drinks, is associated with gout.”

Eat Fruit:

While there are some fruits that should be avoided when dealing with gout, fruit including grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries are wise to eat. These citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which lowers uric acid levels and in-turn prevent gout attacks.

Baking Soda:

Baking soda is praised by many natural health advocates as a successful gout treatment. This stems from baking soda’s ability to neutralize stomach acid, they believe that consuming baking soda will increase the alkalinity of your blood, and lower the amount of uric acid. However, ingesting baking soda should never go beyond a ½ teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water, up to 8 times per day. Any more could result in adverse health affects including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, dehydration, and kidney failure.

If you’re suffering from gout and decide to attempt any of these gout treatments, please consult a doctor or other medical professional before doing so.