How Soaking Gout Feet in Apple Cider Vinegar Can Relieve Gout
By: John Cielo
Submitted: 2010-10-04 09:40:37 | Word Count: 580
Gout is a form of arthritis and is probably the most painful form of arthritis there is. And as you are probably aware, gout occurs mostly in the feet, particularly in the big joint at the base of the toe, which becomes swollen, inflamed and extremely painful.
Because of this, it completely interferes with your everyday life, because it prevents you getting around as normal. This is why very many gout sufferers attend their doctor at the first sign of gout for treatment to relieve the pain.
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The medical profession largely offers drug-based treatments for reducing inflammation and pain relief. They can also offer drugs that will lower uric acid levels in the blood in an effort to try to prevent further attacks.
Unfortunately, these drugs can have some pretty nasty side effects, and, they are only effective whilst being taken. They cannot continue working when you come off them. This is why the uric acid reduction drugs are a long-term prospect.
So, gout sufferers are increasingly utilizing the many benefits of natural gout remedies, of which there are many. Too many to go into here though. But one which many sufferers use is apple cider vinegar...
SOAKING GOUT FEET IN APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar has been used since ancient times for a number of ailments and conditions, including the treatment of gout. But, of course, today with refined vinegar etc., you have to be careful which apple cider vinegar you use.
It has to be raw, un-distilled, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, the type you are most likely to get from a health food shop, or other specialist health shop. Ask the assistant for clarification. But you can recognize raw apple cider vinegar because it will have a good deal of sediment -- called the 'mother' -- in the bottom of the bottle.
For soaking gout feet to help alleviate pain and reduce swelling, just add 1/2 of a cup of the raw cider to 3 cups of hot water in a basin. Note: for more, just double or treble the ratios I've just given you. Soak your gouty foot / feet for 25 to 30 minutes and repeat as necessary, re-heating the water.
Now, for your further information, you can actually drink raw apple cider vinegar in order to change your blood pH, which can help to lower uric acid in your blood. For the drink, mix 3 teaspoons of vinegar in a large glass of water, and drink 2 or 3 times daily. You can add some honey to take the 'edge' off the taste, if you prefer.
Try this totally natural remedy for bathing gout feet and see how you get on. Don't forget to drink it too!
Having said that, because there are many underlying triggers for gout, and everyone is different, you need to get up to speed with all the natural gout remedies out there, because apple cider vinegar won't cure your gout on its own.
This is important, because unless you can permanently stop your gout attacks from recurring time and time again, you run the risk of permanent joint damage, kidney damage, even high blood pressure in the future.
