Gout — the most common type of inflammatory arthritis — happens when high levels of uric acid form crystals in your joints. If too many crystals accumulate in a joint, it can trigger a gout attack.
If you’re one of the 9.2 million Americans with gout, you know all too well just how painful an attack can be.
Here at Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, our providers help New Yorkers manage gout with at-home remedies and prescription medications.
Read on to learn more about the strategies you can implement to help manage your gout at home.
If you’re dealing with chronic gout, these at-home remedies can help.
Water helps flush uric acid out of your system and reduces the likelihood of crystal formation in your joints. Aim to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily, especially during a flare-up.
What you don’t drink is just as important. Avoid alcohol (especially beer) and sugary drinks — both of which can exacerbate gout symptoms.
If you're experiencing a gout flare-up, apply a cold compress to your affected joint. The cold temperatures can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
You can find gel packs designed for specific joints, but you can also wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and apply it directly to your joint. Never place ice directly on your skin.
Foods high in purines — a compound that occurs naturally in some foods but is broken down into uric acid by your body — can trigger a gout attack. The foods highest in purines include red meat, game meat, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup, sweet treats, turkey, and seafood.
Revamp your diet, so it’s low in purines. Cherries and nettle tea, for example, have been shown to lower uric acid and reduce inflammation. Other good-for-you foods include low-fat dairy products, tofu, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains.
Don’t forget to add spices and herbal teas to your diet! Spices like turmeric contain anti-inflammatory properties.
While a low purine diet helps manage gout, it also helps reduce your risk of kidney disease and diabetes.
To reduce swelling and pain, try elevating the joint affected by gout. This can help decrease blood flow to the area and alleviate some of the discomfort. Prop the painful joint up on pillows while resting.
During a gout attack, some people find that even a bedsheet touching their toe is painful when this is the area affected. If this is the case for you, consider using a bed cradle. This simple, adjustable frame fits under your sheets and keeps the weight of your sheets and blankets off your sensitive toes and feet.
While you shouldn’t exercise during a flare-up — that’s a time for rest, ice, and elevation — regular exercise can help with gout. Exercise helps:
Don’t overdo it! Even leisurely walks after dinner can count toward your daily exercise goals.
Stress can trigger gout attacks, so find ways to manage your stress levels. Try to find the source of your stress and mitigate it. For example, if your commute is stressful, consider switching transportation methods or leaving earlier to allow for a less rushed commute.
Exercise, relaxing hobbies, listening to music, and spending time in nature (whether in New York City or upstate in the mountains) can be very soothing. Yoga, medication, and deep breathing can also help lower your cortisol levels.
Keep track of your gout symptoms, including when they occur and what might trigger them. This can help you identify patterns and avoid activities or foods that exacerbate your condition. While this doesn’t technically help stop a flare-up, it can help you identify patterns and avoid future flare-ups.
Medications commonly used to help control gout include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and relieve pain during flare-ups.
Urate-lowering medications like allopurinol and febuxostat help prevent future attacks by reducing uric acid levels in your blood. Taking these medications at home as directed can reduce the frequency of flare-ups and minimize long-term joint damage.
While at-home remedies can be effective, it's important to work with your Manhattan Podiatry Associates, PC, provider to manage your gout. Our team may prescribe:
Help for your gout is just a call or click away. Schedule an appointment with our team today.
