Gout: Causes, Treatment and Natural Remedies

About Gout

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. It occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. The buildup of uric acid can lead to:

Sharp uric acid crystal deposits in joints, often in the big toe Deposits of uric acid (called tophi) that look like lumps under the skin Kidney stones from uric acid crystals in the kidneys.

For many people, the first attack of gout occurs in the big toe. Often, the attack wakes a person from sleep. The toe is very sore, red, warm, and swollen.

A gout attack can be brought on by stressful events, alcohol or drugs, or another illness. Early attacks usually get better within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment. The next attack may not occur for months or even years.

Causes of Gout

Gout is caused by the buildup of too much uric acid in the body. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of substances called purines. Purines are found in all of your body's tissues. They are also in many foods, such as liver, dried beans and peas, and anchovies.

Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood. It passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. But uric acid can build up in the blood when:

The body increases the amount of uric acid it makes. The kidneys do not get rid of enough uric acid. A person eats too many foods high in purines.

Treatment for Gout

Doctors use medicines to treat an acute attack of gout, including:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Motrin* Corticosteroids, such as prednisone Colchicine, which works best when taken within the first 12 hours of an acute attack.

Sometimes doctors prescribe NSAIDs or colchicine in small daily doses to prevent future attacks. There are also medicines that lower the level of uric acid in the blood.

Natural Remedies for Gout

Large amounts of supplemental folic acid (up to 80 mg per day) have reduced uric acid levels in preliminary research. However, other studies have failed to confirm the effectiveness of folic acid in treating people with gout.

References for Gout Article

• Oster KA. Xanthine oxidase and folic acid. Ann Intern Med 1977;87:252–3.
• Boss GR, Ragsdale RA, Zettner A, Seegmiller JE. Failure of folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) to affect hyperuricemia. J Lab Clin Med 1980;96:783–9.
• Stein HB, Hasan A, Fox IH. Ascorbic acid-induced uricosuria: a consequence of megavitamin therapy. Ann Intern Med 1976;84:385–8.
• National Institutes of Health