Gout Pain Relief

Jan 28, 0398 by admin

Gout, a very severe and painful disease, is caused when uric acid crystals build up and deposit in the body tissues. If your body can not break down the uric acid it will accumulate and cause inflammation in the joint(s).   Gout usually affects your big toe, but can affect other joints as well, such as knees and fingers.  Uric acid has been reported to cause kidney stones.

Usually, the uric acid is dissolved in the blood and passes out through the kidneys from your body as part of your urine. At times the body makes too much uric acid or not enough is excreted in the urine. Then the uric acid forms sharp, needle-shaped crystals or urate in your joints or in the surrounding tissue.  These crystals then cause pain, swelling, and inflammation. The intense pain occurs in your joints as your white blood cells try to fight off the crystals by surrounding them, causing heat, redness, and  intense pain.  Gout occurs mostly in men, but women are also more prone to get gout after menopause.

Here are some ideas for gout pain relief:

Make a poultice of charcoal and flaxseed.

Mix together 1/2 cup of activated charcoal (powdered), 3 tablespoons of flaxseed (finely ground), and enough warm water to form into a paste. Then put the paste on the afflicted joint and cover with a piece of plastic wrap or a cloth. Put on a new “patch” every four hours or you can leave it on overnight. The charcoal will stain your sheets or clothes, so be sure the poultice is completely and carefully covered.

Another method is to take the activated charcoal by mouth. To lower your uric acid level, take half a easpoon four times a day

Try a Castor oil pack.

Dip a piece of flannel into warmed Castor oil. Then wring out the excess fluid and put over the painful joint. Cover the pack with plastic wrap and then apply heat with a hot water bottle or heating pad. Use this castor oil pack 2 times a day for about an hour each time.

Alternate heat and cold.

Soak the affected joint in warm or hot water for about three minutes, then dip it in cold ice water for half a minute. Doing this 3 times daily should help to relieve the gout pain.

Use Epsom salts.

Find a bowl or pan that is large enough to fit your hand or foot (a pan for doing dishes works well). Add about 3 tablespoons of Epsom salts to hot water and soak for at least 30 minutes.

You can also put Epsom salts into your bath water. This is good when the gout pain is located in other parts of your body. Follow the Epsom Salts package instructions.