Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause tremendous pain in affected joints leaving them swollen, tender, and hot. The worst part is a Gout attack can happen without warning and last for days. Gout is caused by an overabundance of uric acid in our bloodstream, crystallizing and inflaming joints. Gout is most often found in the big toe but can affect any joint in the body. The typical person is a middle aged male who is overweight with a family history of gout.

If you are suffering a gout attack the first thing to do is elevate the affected joint. This shouldn’t be too hard since most likely the pain will be so intense that you won’t want anything covering it. Next take some ibuprofen, not aspirin or acetaminophen.  Common over the counter drugs containing ibuprofen are Advil and Motrin. If possible apply ice to the affected area and drink lots of fluid such as water and herbal tea. Try to avoid alcohol consumption and consult your doctor concerning vitamin supplements as some supplements can make gout worse.

Other home remedies for gout include:

-The herbal supplement Devil’s Claw available in tablet and tincture form as well as a brewed tea.

-Other beverages that seem to help include stinging nettle, horsetail tea, horseradish and parsley juices which are thought to help the body excrete uric acid. Other helpful items are birch leaf, celery, and mustard seeds.

-Brome lain, a derivative of pineapple, is an anti-inflammatory remedy thought to help fight the symptoms of Gout.

-A couple of vitamins seem to help with gout including Vitamin C which lowers uric acid levels and Vitamin B complex also seems to help. As stated above, it is recommended you consult a doctor on using these vitamins and how much.

-Eliminating or cutting down on meats have been suggested because Uric acid is a by-product of purines which enter the body through eating meats.

-Many types of berries such as strawberries have shown to be effective because of their ability to neutralize uric acid. One cup of strawberries during an attack is the recommended dosage.

Gout may not seem an important problem if you have never suffered from it. It has been called the disease of the rich many times but rich or poor if you suffer through it you will be looking for relief fast.

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.