Homeopathy for Gout – Causes, Symptoms & Best 10 Medicines

This blog explains homeopathy for gout, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best medicines.

Gout is a commonly occurring joint disease. It is the result of the crystallization and deposition of uric acid in the joints.

The joints get inflamed. Gout causes swelling and intense pain stiffness in the affected joints. Gout is a type of arthritis. The most commonly involved joint is the great toe.

The onset of a gout attack is abrupt and sudden. The attack keeps returning.

It gradually affects the joints internally causing tissue damage. It leads to intense pain and discomfort for the patient.

Gout is more common in men as compared to women. Women after menopause become more prone to getting this disease.

Gout Types

There are different stages of gout with a different set of symptoms. Let’s explore the types one by one.

Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia:

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is when a patient reports saying that he is having a high uric acid level in his blood but he is not showing any symptoms.

The uric acid gets deposited in the joints and starts affecting them gradually. It leads to tissue damage in the joints.

This stage may not require treatment. It can be managed by lifestyle modifications.

But the patient has to be careful to prevent further attacks of gout.

Acute Gout:

Another name for acute gout is “flare”. Sudden and intense pain is caused due to the deposited urate crystals.

This acute attack may remain for three to ten days. It usually resolves on its own.

Cold weather, stress and alcohol are some of the triggering factors.

Intercritical Gout:

The tome between two attacks of gout is known as intercritical gout.

During this period, the urate crystals are getting deposited in the joints.

Intercritical gout may remain foe for weeks to a few years. If the treatment is delayed then the attacks become more frequent.

Chronic Tophaceous Gout:

In chronic tophaceous out, there is permanent damage to the joints and the kidneys.

There is a development of lumps in the joints of fingers, hands and toes. These lumps are made up of urate crystals.

These lumps are known as Tophi.

If correct treatment is given at the previous stages then the patient may not reach up to this stage.

Chronic tophaceous gout may take about ten years to develop even without treatment.

Pseudogout:

Pseudogout causes symptoms similar to gout. The attacks are not as frequent as gout.

This condition is sometimes confused with gout.

The difference between pseudogout and gout is that in pseudogout, calcium phosphorylate crystals are deposited instead of urate crystals.

The required treatments for gout and pseudogout are different.

Gout Causes

An increased amount of uric acid in the blood is the main cause of the development of gout.

The breakdown of a chemical known as purines in the body leads to the formation of uric acid.

Purines are naturally present in the body.

Some foods contain a high amount of these substances such as red meat, shellfish, drinks like cola etc.

The uric acid is removed from the body via the kidneys. The excessive production of uric acid leads to crystal formation.

When these crystals get deposited in the joints, they cause pain and swelling like symptoms.

Gout Symptoms

The symptoms develop suddenly and abruptly. It can occur in the middle of the night without any previous alarms.

The joints become swollen, red and extremely painful. This causes great discomfort to the patients.

The most commonly affected joint is the great toe.

Other joints that could be involved are ankles, knees, elbows fingers and wrists.

The character of the pain is excruciating and highly intensified.

The recurrent attacks of gout may lead to permanent damage to the joints and tophi formations.

An increased amount of uric acid in the blood may lead to kidney stone formation.

Risk Factors for Gout

There are several risk factors associated with the development of gout. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Age

The old age group is more likely to get affected by gout than the young adults.

Gender

Men are more likely to get affected by gout than women.

The development of gout is more commonly seen after menopause.

Family History

If the parents and grandparents have a history of gout the next generation is at a higher risk to develop gout.

Medications

Certain tye of medicines such as diuretics can also be a cause behind the development of gout.

Lifestyle

Consuming some food items and products interferes with the body’s natural ability to remove uric acid.

Some examples are alcohol and a high purine-rich diet.

Obesity

Obesity is directly linked to more uric acid production as body waste.

Recent injury

Recent Injuries put the patient at a higher risk to get affected by gout.

Chronic exposure to lead

Chronic lead exposure is a risk factor for the development of gout.

Underlying medical conditions

Kidney problems, high blood pressure and diabetes put the patient at a higher risk.

Gout Diagnosis

The doctor will examine the affected joint.

After taking the signs and symptoms, he may advise some tests to confirm the diagnosis and to identify the extent of the damage to the joints.

Blood tests

It will check the amount of uric acid present in the body.

An elevated amount will confirm the diagnosis.

Some people may have normal uric acid levels but they show signs and symptoms similar to gout.

In some cases, there is an increased amount of uric acid without any symptoms.

X-ray

It helps to identify the extent of damage in the affected joint.

It will also rule out other causes of the disease.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound of the affected joints will determine the depositions of urate crystals in the tophi.

Joint fluid test

A small amount of fluid is taken from the inflamed joint through a syringe. Microscopic studies reveal the urate crystals.

Gout Management

Few tips and management tips help to improve the condition and prevent further damage to the joints.

Avoid purine-rich diet

Avoid consuming food such as seafood, red meat, organ meat etc.

Low-fat dairy products should be preferred.

Loose weight

Exercising regularly helps to maintain a healthy weight. Walking, cycling and swimming can help.

Increase water intake

Drinking at least 3 litres of water a day.

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol should be completely avoided to improve the recovery rate.

Homeopathy for Gout – Best Medicines

Homeopathy offers a safe, gentle, and permanent treatment for gout. 

Let’s discuss the top indicated remedies for gout in homeopathy.

1. ARNICA: For gout with fear of being touched

Symptoms:

Arnica is a very helpful remedy in homeopathic for joint complaints.

There is a great fear of being touched or approached as it will increase the pain and suffering.

The pain is like bruised or beaten feeling. The joints feel sprained or dislocated. 

Everything on which the patient lies seems very hard. The patient is unable to walk erect.

First, the lower joints are affected followed by the involvement of the upper joints. 

Dampness, cold weather, and touch make the symptoms worse.

Lying down improves the symptoms.

Potency and dosage:

Arnica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Arnica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Arnica in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

2. BRYONIA: For gout worse by any motion

Symptoms:

Bryonia is one of the best remedies for the treatment of gout. 

The joint becomes painful and stiff. 

The affected joint is red, hot, and painful. The patient experiences tearing and joint itches.

One of the characteristic features of Bryonia is that the symptoms get worse on any kind of movement.

The symptoms get better with rest. Hot weather, exertion, or touch, mornings worsen the symptoms.

The patient becomes unable to sit up in the morning. He becomes sick and faints.

Lying on the painful side, pressure and rest make the patient feel better. 

Potency and dosage:

Bryonia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Bryonia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Bryonia in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

3. BENZOIC ACID: For Chronic tophaceous type of gout

Symptoms:

An excellent remedy for the treatment of gout with tophi formations.

Benzoic acid helps to treat patients with joint destruction due to gout. 

The patient complains of a cracking sound in the affected joint.

The involved joint is red, hot, swollen, and painful.

There is tearing and stitching pain in the affected joint. It is helpful to treat ankle joint pain due to gout.

There is the presence of gouty deposits in the affected joints.

Commonly involved joints are wrists and knees. It is a very helpful remedy to treat great toe pain due to gout.

Potency and dosage:

Benzoic acid 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Benzoic acid 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Benzoic acid in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

4. COLCHICUM: For gout with great toe involvement

Symptoms:

Colchicum is one of the best remedies in homeopathy for the treatment of gout.

The most commonly involved joint is the great toe. The affected joint becomes red, hot and painful.

The patient experiences a tearing and stinging pain. There is a sensation of pins and needles in the hands and wrists.

Evening and warm weather make the symptoms worse. There are gouty deposits in the heel.

The great toe is highly inflamed. The patient cannot bear touch or movement in the affected joint. 

The legs and feet can be swollen due to gout. 

Potency and dosage:

Colchicum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Colchicum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Colchicum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

5. LEDUM PAL: For Gouty pains affecting the foot

Symptoms:

Ledum pal is a wonderful remedy for gouty pains involving the small joints of the foot.

The pain shoots all through the feet and joints. The patient complains of red, hot, and swollen joints.

There is swelling in the ankles. The soles become very painful. The patient can hardly walk on the account of pain.

Potency and dosage:

Ledum pal 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ledum pal 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Ledum pal in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

6. CAUSTICUM: For gouty pains in the elbow joint

Symptoms:

This remedy helps to reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood. The joints become heavy and weak.

There is tearing pain in the affected joints. The patient complains of weak ankles. He cannot walk without suffering.

Warmth relieves the symptoms. The patient is unsteady while walking.

Knees crack on motion. 

The patient is restless on the account of pain. The patient is better in damp and wet weather.

Cold weather worsens the symptoms.

Potency and dosage:

Causticum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Causticum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Causticum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

7. RHUS TOX: For gouty pains better get better by movement

Symptoms:

Rhus tox is an excellent remedy for the treatment of muscle and joint issues. 

It is used to treat gout which causes hot and painful joints.

One of the characteristic symptoms of selection of Rhus tox is that the patient gets relieved by motion and his symptoms get worse due to rest.

The knee joint is commonly involved. It becomes tender, hot and red.

There is a crawling sensation on the tips of fingers. There is tingling in the feet. 

Wet and rainy weather makes the symptoms worse. Warmth and motion relieve the symptoms.

Potency and dosage:

Rhus tox 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Rhus tox 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Rhus tox in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

8. CALCAREA PHOS: For weak joints and gout

Symptoms:

Calcarea phos helps as a calcium supplement. It improves the absorption of calcium in the body.

Calcarea phos is capable of treating joint pains in every age group. 

Children, young adults, and old people all are benefitted from this remedy.

The joint becomes stiff and painful. 

There is a numb feeling in the joint. The patient complains of pain in the joints and bones.

Walking on the stairs becomes difficult due to pain in the joints.

The change in weather makes the symptoms worse. The affected joint is swollen, hot and painful.

Potency and dosage:

Calcarea phos 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Calcarea phos 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Calcarea phos in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

9. ACTEA SPICATA: For Gouty pains in small joints

Symptoms:

Actea Spicata is helpful to treat gout that affects small joints.

The patient experiences tearing pain in the joints. The commonly involved joint is the fingers, toes and ankles.

This remedy can treat high levels of uric acid in the blood. The patient experiences swollen, red and painful wrists.

There are tingling pains in the joints. The symptoms are worse on doing any movement.

Potency and dosage:

Actea Spicata 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Actea Spicata 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Actea Spicata in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

10. RUTA GRAVEOLENS: For gout with tophaceous joints

Symptoms:

Ruta Greavelons can treat gout with tophi formations in the joints.

It can help to treat disfigured joints. This remedy is known to treat ankle joint inflammation very efficiently.

The ankle joint is extremely painful and swollen. The pains are more in the bones of the feet and ankle joint. The pain is restless due to his symptoms.

This remedy is helpful to reduce uric acid levels in the blood.

It is a helpful remedy to treat shooting pains in the joints due to gouty nodosities.

Potency and dosage:

Ruta Graveolens 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ruta Graveolens 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Ruta Graveolens in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.

Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.