Gout is an inflammatory joint disease that arises due to an increase in levels of the uric acid in the blood. Any joints in the body can be affected with gout, although the joint at the base of the great toe has a higher chance of developing the condition. Increased uric acid is not a disease and by itself is not dangerous. However, if excess uric acid levels lead to formation of crystals between the joints, gout can develop. In some individuals excess levels also lead to the formation of kidney stones. Please remember not all who have high levels of uric acid, develop gout. Homeopathic medicine for gout helps relieve the symptoms and also reduce the associated swelling in the joints. These medicines can be a big boon for all those who suffer from high uric acid. These medicines work by reducing the uric acid’s overproduction by the body and where the need be, by accelerating the removal of this waste product from through the kidneys.

Homeopathic Medicine for Gout

Homeopathy can help treat gout effectively. They relieve painful symptoms of an acute gout attack by aiding the elimination of excessive uric acid from the body. Symptoms like pain, swelling, tenderness in the affected joints are manageable with these medicines. Following this, the treatment for excess uric acid can help treat the chronic tendency to develop frequent episodes of gout.

1. Bryonia Alba – Top Remedy for Gout

Bryonia Alba is a medicine for gout in cases where there is excessive pain, swelling, redness, and heat in the affected joint. The nature of the pain is sharp or tearing. The pain may get worse from the slightest movement while warming the joint provides relief.

2. Colchicum Autumnale – For Gout in Big Toe

Colchicum Autumnale is a medicine for gout that affects the big toe. There may be intense swelling and pain in the big toe that gets worse on movement, and from the slightest touch. Evening aggravation of the toe pain is also noted in few cases requiring this remedy.

3. Lycopodium Clavatum – For Gout Affecting Heel

Lycopodium Clavatum is a medicine for gout where there is heel pain and high levels of uric acid. There may be worsening of heel pain while walking and a sensation of stone under the heel. Along with this, profuse sweat on the feet and coldness of feet is present. Lycopodium Clavatum is also indicated for cases of chronic gout where chalky deposits have formed in the joints.

4. Benzoicum Acidum – For Gout Affecting Knee Joint

Benzoicum Acidum is a medicine for gout that affects the knee joint. The joint is swollen and painful, and there is a cracking in the joint with movement. In some cases, nodes from the deposits of urate crystals may be present on the knees. Benzoicum Acidum also works well in cases of knee pain worsening from taking wine.

5. Ledum Pal – For Gout with Ankle Pain

Ledum Pal is a medicine for gout leading to ankle pain. Pain and swelling in the ankle that radiates upwards in the leg is present. The pain also gets worse with movement.

6. Abrotanum – For Gout with Wrist Pain

Abrotanum is a medicine for gout that causes wrist pain, along with high uric acid levels. The wrist gets inflammed and sore to touch. Stiffness and a pricking sensation may be present. Abrotanum is also indicated for gout in the ankles.

7. Causticum – For Gout in Elbow Joint

Causticum is a medicine for gout in the elbow joint when there is a pressing or gripping sensation felt in the elbow, along with pain. Warmth in the elbow area can help relieve the pain. Causticum also helps in lowering down the uric acid levels.

8. Berberis Vulgaris – For Uric Acid Control

Berberis Vulgaris is an anti-uric acid medicine that helps dissolve kidney stones. It is indicated in cases where there is a pain in the kidney area. The pain may radiate down to the urinary bladder from the kidney area, along with a stinging, burning sensation in the kidneys. The urine may also contain sandy or slimy sediments.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does a person develop gout?

The main cause of gout is an increase in the levels of uric acid in the blood. The increase in the levels of uric acid can arise either due to an overproduction of the uric acid, or decreased elimination of the uric acid from the body by the kidneys. Dietary products rich in purines tend to raise the levels of uric acid in the blood. Some foods that are high in purines include meat, fish, seafood, shellfish, beans, spinach.
Apart from these, some other factors can make a person susceptible to gout; like obesity, a positive family history of gout, use certain medicines like thiazide diuretics, and medical diseases like kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and hypertension.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of gout?

Gout occurs due deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint spaces and or in the connective tissue of the joints. It is a very painful condition causing swelling redness heat pain and stiffness of the joint. Deposits of uric acid, called tophi can appear as lumps under the skin and around the joints. Gout mainly affects the big toe but it can affect other joints like foot instep, ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. The primary symptoms of gout include pain in the affected joint along with high swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth. In long-standing cases, hard nodes can form around the affected joints. These are known as tophi.

3. Which joints get affected by gout?

Gout can affect any joints in the body. However, in a majority of the cases, the joint at the base of the big toe gets affected. The other joints that can be affected by gout include ankles, knees, wrist, elbow, fingers, and shoulders.

4. How is gout diagnosed?

The most commonly used test for confirming gout is serum uric acid testing. In case of gout, the levels of serum uric acid levels are found to be elevated.

Managing Gout

Certain lifestyle measures can help manage gout, like:

• Following a gout diet that includes a healthy amount of fluid intake.
• Avoiding foods that cause gout due to their high purine content, like meat, fish, seafood, beans, shellfish, and spinach.
• Not consuming alcohol.
• Increasing the amount of water intake as well as fluids like coconut water, buttermilk, green tea and lemon water.
• Reducing weight where required.
• Ensuring routine exercise.