What is Gout Anyway?
Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sharp pain, swelling and redness, particularly in the joints and the base of your big toe.
Gout can occur suddenly with no previous symptoms, which is alarming for most people with little information about the condition. This ailment is caused by hyperuricemia, where there’s too much uric acid in your bloodstream.
Many foods can cause your body to produce excess uric acid, including red meat and game, but also fruits, sugary drinks and alcohol — purine-rich foods, which your body can break down quickly. Here’s how to treat gout at home.
Drink plenty of water
Lots of water might be the most efficient and unintrusive way of treating gout. Water will reduce inflammation and dilute the uric acid in your bloodstream, effectively helping your kidneys eliminate the potentially harmful compound.
If you can, drink plain water to avoid overworking your system, although tea might be adequate too. The best way of hydrating yourself is with slow, steady sips instead of trying to drink too much water in a short period.
Have a reusable water bottle in hand and drink water throughout the day; this will dramatically decrease the gout inflammation.
