You wake up in the wee hours with a swollen, tender joint — often in your big toe. And you know that if you leave it untreated, it might worsen. How can you quickly get rid of this gout flare-up?
Here’s the silver lining: there are many ways to avoid the discomfort associated with a gout flare-up. And by following some natural supplement guidelines, you’ll rarely be greeted by severe pain in the dead of night. You can confidently live an active and exciting life.
Natural Support For Gout Flare-Ups
The first concern when you experience an attack of gout is to find fast results for the discomfort. Act quickly and do the following:
- Use Ice – Wrap an ice pack in a soft cloth and apply it to the area for 20 to 30 minutes. Cold temperatures constrict the blood vessels, which in turn decrease circulation and ease swelling.
- Elevate the Affected Joint – Raise the affected joint above heart level to prevent blood from pooling in that area. For example, if the joint in your big toe is swollen, elevate your foot and prop it on pillows.
- Have a Cane Ready – Rest the painful joint as much as you can. Lean on a cane to keep the pressure off the joint and reduce the discomfort.
- Take Prescribed Medication – If your doctor has prescribed medication, take it as instructed. This may offer the fastest way to get rid of the symptoms of gout. You may also call your physician to inform them of your flare-up.
- Minimize Stress – As with many diseases, stress may worsen a gout flare-up. So, although you’re regretting any canceled activities, try to relax and do activities that calm you down, like watching a movie or listening to music.
Know Your Triggers
It’s helpful to determine your gout triggers. Although several methods bring fast results for the discomfort, and a gout attack eventually subsides, a person who has experienced gout would never want to experience it again.
Currently, no test could pinpoint the trigger, and triggers vary from person to person. But people usually figure out what sets off an attack. If you’re not sure what causes your flare-up, check if you’ve consumed any of these common triggers:
Purine-Rich Food
The body breaks purine down into uric acid, and if your blood contains excessive uric acid, a gout flare-up might occur.
It doesn’t mean, however, that you should eliminate purine-rich food from your diet — that’s next to impossible. The best thing to do is avoid what could trigger an attack and consume the rest in moderation.
- Shellfish
- Sardines
- Scallops and mussels
- Salmon
- Trout
- Organ Meats
- Mutton
- Veal
- Venison
- Pork
- Turkey
- Duck
Alcohol
When you drink alcohol, your kidneys work hard to flush it out of your body instead of uric acid. As a result, uric acid builds up and sets off an attack. Limiting alcohol intake is a natural way to reduce the risk of future gout flare-ups.
Medications
Certain medications could also lead to high uric acid levels. Your doctor may change these medications if they believe that they are causing flare-ups.
Keep Flare-Ups at Bay
On top of avoiding triggers and taking prescribed medication, you may also make lifestyle changes to prevent future gout attacks.
- Avoid Dehydration – If your body is well-hydrated, the kidney can easily flush out excess uric acid. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that men drink 3.7 liters of water per day, and women consume 2.7 liters. It also helps to replace other beverages — like fruit juice and soda — with water.
- Dietary Changes – For many people, diet plays an important role in avoiding gout flare-ups. Please consult your physician before making any drastic changes to your diet.
- Restrictions – Purine-rich food must be consumed in moderation. Avoid those that you’ve determined cause attacks.
- Additions – Incorporate foods known to reduce flare-ups, like tart cherry and celery seeds. Drink tart cherry juice or add a dash of celery seed into your sauces.
- Dietary Supplements – Try supplements developed to support people who experience gout. These often contain ingredients that may help support healthy uric acid levels.
Tart Cherry and Celery Seed Extract Supplement
Our GO-OUT Extra Strength is designed to support people whose lifestyles are dampened by gout flare-ups. Containing celery seed and tart cherry extract, it’s made of 100% natural, non-GMO ingredients‡.
Find out how our supplements can help you get back on your feet.
‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.