According to popular beliefs, sodium bicarbonate, as a strong base, neutralizes the acidic state in which uric acid precipitates. Although no scientific evidence supports these effects, baking soda has gained popularity as an alternative treatment for gout.
Is baking soda effective for gout? The general belief is that drinking several glasses of water per day mixed with baking soda will help reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. However, there is little clinical research to suggest that baking soda is an effective treatment for gout.
Keep a supply of baking soda or garden lime nearby in case you need to quickly neutralize muriatic acid. While sprinkling these substances full-strength will work, the best plan is to mix ½ cup of baking soda and a quart of water in a sealed spray bottle and keep it nearby.
Start treatment immediately with over-the-counter ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), but never take aspirin, which can worsen a flare.
Drinking plenty of water will help the body flush out the buildup of urate, which creates uric acid crystals that build up in your joint and causes inflammation and pain. Recent studies have shown that drinking adequate water during the 24 hours before a gout flare can decrease the intensity and recurrent gout attacks.
Drink at least 10-12 eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids daily, especially if you have had kidney stones. This will help flush the uric acid crystals out of your body.
Drink a glass of skimmed milk a day...
Studies have shown that vitamin C, cherries, skimmed milk and low-fat yogurt can reduce the amount of urate in the body and therefore lower risks of gout attacks.
Despite this, walking during a gout flareup is safe, and it may even help reduce pain. When walking, it is important to wear supportive, comfortable shoes and to move slowly so as not to exacerbate your joint pain.
The key hypothesis is that these urate crystals dissolve on warming. Hence, by warming the joint concerned in hot water, and moving the joint around to encourage diffusion, the urate concentration is reduced and crystals no longer form, provided the treatment is continued.
Patients can never be cured of gout. It is a long-term disease that can be controlled by a combination of medication to control the uric acid level, and anti-inflammation drugs to treat a flare-up. “Lowering the level of uric acid is key to treating gout, and patients must understand this.
Adding a substance made up of several weak acids such as vinegar to the stomach's strongly acidic environment would not have any health benefit when it comes to gout, says Dr. Edwards.
An acute gout attack will generally reach its peak 12-24 hours after onset, and then will slowly begin to resolve even without treatment. Full recovery from a gout attack (without treatment) takes approximately 7-14 days.
Eating or drinking food and drinks high in fructose (a type of sugar). Having a diet high in purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid. Purine-rich foods include red meat, organ meat, and some kinds of seafood, such as anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, and tuna.
Elevate your foot – When you are experiencing gout pain, keep your foot elevated with pillows so that it is higher than your chest. Do this as much as possible to help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Avoid alcohol and food high in purines. Keep pressure off your joint. E.g., try walking with a cane if your toes or feet are affected. Elevate your affected joint.
In fact, doing joint friendly activities such as walking can help improve gout-related pain. Gout is a form of arthritis that usually affects the big toe joint, but it can also affect the lesser toes, ankles, and knees.
Nettle Tea
A natural diuretic, nettle tea may help to flush uric acid out of your system, preventing a build-up that could lead to gout pain. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may ease some of the symptoms of a flare-up.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Gout. It is sometimes claimed that apple cider vinegar is anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation with gout. However, there is no research to support that it has anti-inflammatory effects in humans or that it is effective in preventing gout and gout flares.
The ideal massage for gout is going to target the high uric acid levels in the blood and flush them from the body. The good news is that pretty much all massage modalities improve your blood flow, and healthy circulation plays a crucial role in muscular health.
In one study conducted by the University of Miami Touch Research Institute, gout patients were massaged once a week for four weeks. At the end of the study, the patients who'd received regular massages reported less pain and greater relief from other symptoms than patients who didn't receive massages.