What is Gout and How to Treat it Naturally
Gout is a painful joint condition that impacts millions of people, predominately men, and can come and go without warning. Those who suffer from a chronic form of gout can endure prolonged periods of painful and limited mobility. The good news is that the majority of gout episodes can be controlled and alleviated naturally, without the need to take medications that can do more harm than good. Let’s learn a little more about gout and how you can keep it under control so that you can be as minimally-impacted as possible during a prolonged survival situation.
What is Gout?
Gout is essentially the buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. This buildup leads to the formation of tiny crystals that develop in joints. This can lead to painful rubbing as these joints are flexed, and they can occur in any joint in the body. However, gout generally attacks joints in the extremities more often than not. Even a small deposit of these crystals in a toe or finger joint can make it very difficult to walk, stand or use hands for projects.
The uric acid begins to build in the blood as they body tries to react to a pH imbalance. This is often caused through eating acidic foods, consuming acidic beverages or having a condition that tricks the body into thinking that it needs to allow acid levels to remain high. Usually after acid levels have been reduced, through raising of alkaline levels, concentrations of uric acid will decrease and crystals will dissolve or disappear in many cases.
How to Prevent Gout
The first step in gout prevention is to limit the intake of acidic foods and balance them with the alkalinity of vegetables and certain fruits. The more alkaline in the bloodstream will neutralize acid levels and help the body to bring itself into balance. Aside from making dietary adjustments, drinking plenty of water and teas can also help to dilute uric acid levels and help it to pass out of the body.
There are also a number of foods and remedies that can be very helpful when treating gout. Apple cider vinegar, cherries, ginger root, cucumbers and baking soda can help to reduce gout. Avoiding a lot of sugary and salty foods, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake can also help to alleviate symptoms and the severity of episodes.
Basic Remedies
One remedy is to add a tablespoon of vinegar to a glass of water and drink at least three times a day until symptoms subside. Another popular option is to juice one lemon and mix it with ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass. Fill partially with water, wait for the fizzing to subside and then fill the rest of the glass with more water. Drink a few times a day. This remedy will not only alkalize the body, but it will also give it a powerful vitamin C boost which can also help to relieve symptoms.
You can also pour a cup or two of Epsom salts into a hot bath and soak the inflammation and pain away. Epsom salts can also help to regulate blood pressure and improve the overall health of the circulatory system which can speed up the removal of excess uric acid from the body. Finally, eating cherries, apples, bananas, ingesting fresh ginger or even taking activated charcoal can help to neutralize acid and bring your pH levels back into balance.
Gout can creep up at any time without warning and last for as little as a day or as long as a week or more. If you suspect you or someone you know is suffering from gout-induced inflammation, these remedies can help. Just remember that gout impacts the majority of people through diet and the consumption of too many acidic substances. Adding more alkalinity can help to prevent symptoms from forming and keep outbreaks to a minimum. Learn more about how these and other remedies can help, and you can minimize your exposure to the effects of this painful condition.
