If you've ever had gout, you undoubtedly know the pain it can cause. Swollen, sore, arthritic joints burn and ache. And the fact that it goes away, only to flare up again, may make you feel as if you cursed. But, never fear, for there are ways to treat this scourge of the knees, ankles and feet. Start with your diet and successively move up the ladder of severity as symptoms persist.
Step 1
Change your diet. A diet filled with red meat and alcohol will only exacerbate an already chronic problem. Gout was called the Kings Disease because of its relationship to rich foods. Eating more low-fat dairy products and high-carbohydrate foods such as wheat bread will help eliminate bouts of gout.
Step 2
Eat lots of cherries. Cherries have been shown to lower uric acid levels and are being hailed as an effective way to treat gout naturally. Berries in general, along with other fruits, are helpful in promoting a gout-free lifestyle.
Step 3
Drink plenty of liquids. The amount of water you take in helps dilute the uric acid that your joints store up in preparation for that next painful gout attack.
Step 4
Use medication. Chronic gout is sometimes best left to the professionals. If nothing else is reducing the inflammation and pain that gout brings, you might want to consult a physician. Several drugs can help your body lower the amount of uric acid it produces. As an over-the-counter remedy, naproxen (found in Aleve) has been shown to relieve symptoms, but not necessarily lower uric acid levels to any great extent.
Tips and Warnings
- No matter how you treat your gout, it is always best to consult a physician.
Things You'll Need
- Cherries
- Medication
