Can Gout Be Treated With Alternative Medicine?

While there are several prescription drug options available for the treatment of gout, all of them treat only the symptoms of gout temporarily, none treat the actual root cause of the condition.

So what is the root cause of gout? You might be told that some families are genetically predisposed to gout, and you will also be told that some types of food can exacerbate the condition. You will almost always be told that the only conventional treatment is your only option for treating a gout attack . In almost all instances a doctor will suggest prescription drugs. The main goal of the prescription medicine will be to alleviate the pain, and to reduce inflammation. The bottom line is that, while prescription drugs may be of some help while you are suffering from a gout attack, you must do something to correct the cause of your gout. Without doing that it's very unlikely you will see any long term improvement in your health.

After your initial encounter with gout has passed and you have not suffered another gout attack its easy to become complacent. Unfortunately, this "out of sight, out of mind" mentality will last only until gout rears it ugly head the next time. And, in almost all instances, there will be a next time. Because prescription drugs will have only palliated the condition, gout will most always be recurring. And what you will most likely never be told is that the prescription drugs that are relieving your gout may will have side effects that will cause your general health to deteriorate.

One of the first alternative treatment methods you employ will be to overhaul your diet. Just eliminating or drastically reducing purine rich foods from your diet can have a dramatic impact. In some instances purine rich foods are the sole cause of your gout.

Some foods high in purines include: Shellfish, liver, anchovies, sardines, mushrooms and asparagus. And its not just certain foods that are heavy in pruines, alcohol, particularly beer is high in purines, and should be avoided. Should you consume any alcohol you should be sure to also drink large amounts of water. The water will help prevent dehydration and thus limit uric acid build-up. Refined sugar, poultry, flour (white) dried beans, fish, cauliflower, peas and spinach are moderately high in purines, and may need to be avoided.

The ideal diet should contain large amounts of organic fresh fruit, vegetables, whole-grains. If at all possible you should work wheatgrass into your diet routine. Fruits, vegetables and some juices will assist in the elimination of uric acid. It is also documented that certain foods can actually neutralize uric acid. Among these are strawberries, cherries, and celery juice. Many people have found that the drinking cherry juice is also very helpful.

There are also several completely natural herbal and homeopathic remedies to help treat gout. However, just some relatively easy changes will give you a great start in taking control of your gout. Just remember its your big toe that hurts when a gout attack sets in so make sure to explore the benefits that diet changes and alternative gout treatments can have.