1. Epsom Salt Soaks
Hot Epsom-salt soaks can help reduce the pain of a variety of musculoskeletal complaints, including gout. Fill a large pan with hot water and add 3 or more cups of Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate), agitating gently to help the salts dissolve. Gout most commonly occurs in the big toes; if this is the case, immerse your foot in the hot water and rest comfortably for 30 minutes. If another joint, such as a knee or a shoulder, is affected, it's best to prepare a bathtub full of water and the entire contents of a quart-sized carton of Epsom salts. Repeat this procedure three times during the day if possible, to help relieve the inflammation and pain as quickly as possible.
2. Rest, Rest, Rest
Gout pain is largely due to the presence of sharp-edged uric acid crystals that mechanically irritate the joint. The more the joint is moved and manipulated, the greater the friction of the soft tissues against these crystals. Help your joint to repair itself by limiting damaging activity as much as possible. Lie on the couch and enjoy a day of reading. Lie in bed and do your paperwork, organize your photos or catch up on your email. Allow the joint two or three full days of rest to limit further inflammation and help relieve the pain.
3. Drink Copius Amounts of Water
The uric acid crystals form as a result of saturation of body fluids with metabolic wastes. Assist your body in flushing these irritating crystals from the tissues by drinking large amounts of pure water.
Do not drink alcohol, coffee or sugary drinks like soda pop, because they actually dehydrate the body, requiring the kidneys to "spend" more fluid to process them than they provide. Keep a glass or pitcher of water by your side all day and try to drink a full glass every hour. Adding fresh lemon or orange juice may help you to drink more.
