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Gout is an inflammatory joint disease that arises due to increased uric acid levels in the blood. Though any joint in the body can be affected by gout but the joint at the base of the great toe has a higher chance to be affected in majority of cases. Normal uric acid levels in blood are 3.5 to 7.2 mg/dL. Uric acid level more than this indicates hyperuricemia (high uric acid). Increased uric acid is not a disease and not dangerous. However, if excess uric acid levels lead to the formation of crystals in between the joints, gout can develop. In some people, excess uric acid levels also lead to the formation of kidney stones. Please remember, not everybody who have high levels of uric acid, develop gout. High level of uric acid in blood without any symptoms is termed asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
Homeopathic medicines offer a very effective treatment for various joint complaints, including gout. These medicines can be a big boon for all those who suffer from high uric acid and gout. Homeopathic medicines, along with proper dietary management, can lead to remarkable recoveries in cases of gout. Homeopathic medicines for gout help relieve symptoms like pain, tenderness, stiffness and also reduce the associated inflammation and swelling in joints. These medicines work by reducing overproduction of uric acid in the body and, where need be, by accelerating the removal of this waste product through the kidneys. In mainstream medicine medicines, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti – inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids are used to treat gout. These medicines give temporary relief and also have a tendency to cause side effects with prolonged use. On the other hand, homeopathic medicines do not have any adverse effects and give long-term relief and cure with regular course of medication as guided by a homeopathic physician.
Homeopathic medicines offer help in both acute and chronic gout cases. Initially, they treat an acute attack of gout. Following this, the homeopathic treatment helps to treat the chronic tendency of gout. With these medicines, there is a gradual decrease in intensity and frequency of gout attacks. And with further treatment, a permanent cure occurs in most of the cases.
Homeopathy is a symptom-based science, homeopathic medicines for gout are selected as per the characteristic symptoms in every individual case. After medicine selection, the potency, dosage and repetition is finalised as per every individual case. So, it is advised to get every case of gout evaluated by a homeopath for correct prescription and best results. Self-medication should not be done. These medicines aid relief in gout very gently.
Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Gout
The seven topmost homeopathic medicines for treating gout are Colchicum Autumnale, Benzoicum Acidum, Ledum Pal, Urtica Urens, Bryonia Alba, Lycopodium and Berberis Vulgaris.
1. Colchicum Autumnale – Top Grade Medicine For Gout
Colchicum Autumnale is the most frequently recommended medicine for gout. It is an infallible medicine to give speedy relief in pain, soreness, and swelling of joints from gout. It is effective for managing gout in almost any of the joints but particularly the one that affects the big toe. There is intense pain, swelling in the big toe in cases needing it. The big toe is highly tender, sore and hot, even a slight touch on the toe is unbearable. The pain gets worse on movement. Aggravation of toe pain in the evening is also noted in few cases requiring this remedy. It can be given for swelling and stiffness in hands and feet from gout. This medicine can even be used when multiple joints are affected with gout at the same time.
When to use Colchicum Autumnale?
It is a highly effective medicine for managing gout with marked pain, swelling and soreness, especially affecting big toe.
How to use Colchicum Autumnale?
The potency of this medicine differs from case to case from low to high. Low potencies like 30C can be taken two to three times a day. Use of high potency like 200C is limited to once a day.
2. Benzoicum Acidum – For Gout Affecting Knee Joint And Big Toe
Benzoicum Acidum is a wonderful medicine for gout that affects the knee joint and the big toe. In cases requiring it, the knee 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. Other than knee, it is also beneficial for pain in the big toe joint. Its use is considered when pain in big toe is severe at night. It occurs in the big toe mainly of right side. Tearing or stitching pain is felt.
When to use Benzoicum Acidum?
It is the best choice of medicine for managing gout of knee and big toe with pain, swelling and sometimes node formation.
How to use Benzoicum Acidum?
One may take it in 30C potency once or twice a day as per severity of complaint.
3. Ledum Pal – For Gout Affecting Ankle, Hands And Feet
Ledum Pal is most suitable to manage gout that affects ankles. It is indicated when there is pain and swelling in the ankle that radiates upward in the leg. The gouty pain gets worse in the evening as well as with movement. Otherwise, Ledium Pal is also helpful for treating gout affecting feet and toes. There is tearing pain in the toes. Its use is also highly suggested when gout starts in the joints of lower limbs and afterwards affect joints in the upper body. In case of gout of the hand, it is indicated when nodes form on the hand and finger joints. A drawing type of pain in the affected hand is felt.
When to use Ledum Pal?
This medicine is suggested for cases of gout affecting the ankles, hands and feet when pain is especially worse in evening and from movement
How to use Ledum Pal?
This medicine works wonders in 30C potency that can be used 2-3 times in a day.
4. Urtica Urens – For Gout Of Wrist And Ankle
It is an important medicine in homeopathy to help cases of gout affecting wrist and ankle. It is equally effective for acute and chronic gout cases. This medicine is also used for dissolving kidney stones.
When to use Urtica Urens?
This medicine is an undoubted effective treatment for gout affecting the wrist and ankle in both acute and chronic cases.
How to use Urtica Urens?
It is most frequently preferred in Q (mother tincture) form that can be taken once or twice a day.
5. Bryonia Alba – For Gout When Pain Worsens From Slightest Movement
Bryonia Alba is prescribed in gout cases when joint pain gets worse from the slightest movement. It is the most helpful when there is pain, redness, heat and swelling in joints, especially feet. Other than movement, pain gets worse from touch. The nature of pain is sharp, tearing or stinging type.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
This medicine is a great option to deal with gout cases when the joint pain is worse from slightest movement of affected joint.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
It can be used in 30C potency up to 3-4 times in a day.
6. Lycopodium – For Gout Affecting Heel
This medicine is well indicated for gout-causing heel pain. There may be worsening of heel pain while walking. A sensation of stone under the heel is felt. Along with this, profuse sweat and coldness are felt on the feet. Lycopodium is also indicated for cases of chronic gout where chalky deposits have formed in the joints.
When to use Lycopodium?
It is an excellent medicine for cases of gout that affects the heel with marked pain along with sensation of stone under the heel.
How to use Lycopodium?
It is advised to use Lycopodium 30C once a day.
7. Berberis Vulgaris – To Manage Kidney Stones From High Uric Acid
Berberis Vulgaris is a top medicine for treating kidney stones due to high uric acid. It helps to dissolve kidney stones magnificently. It is indicated in cases where there is pain around the kidneys. 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. Though it can be used for kidney stones on any side, but is most prominently indicated for left sided kidney stones.
When to use Berberis Vulgaris?
Its use can be considered to treat kidney stones linked to high uric acid and pain in kidney region radiating down to the bladder.
How to use Berberis Vulgaris?
Mostly, it is used in mother tincture (Q) form that can be taken two to three times a day.
Signs And Symptoms Of Gout
Gout symptoms occur due to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint spaces and or in the connective tissue of the joints. The main signs and symptoms are as follows:
1. Pain in joints: Gout is a very painful condition, mainly affecting the metatarsal– phalangeal joint at the base of the big toein most cases. Gout affecting big toe joint is named podagra. Pain occurs suddenly and in most cases, joint pain starts during the night and reaches maximum within 12 hours of its beginning.
Joints affected
Gout mainly affects the joint (metatarsal–phalangeal joint) at the base of the big toe but it can affect other joints as well. The other joints that can be affected by gout include ankles, heels, knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, and shoulders.
Duration of a gout attack
One episode of gout can last from 3 days to two weeks. In between two gout attacks, no symptoms occur at all.
2. Swelling, redness and heat in joints
3. Tenderness of the joint: Joint is painful even to slightest touch, even the little contact with bedsheet seems unbearable.
4. Stiffness of joint and limited range of motion of joint
5. Tophi: Deposits of hard, painless deposits of uric acid, called tophi can appear as lumps under the skin and around the joints from long-standing increase in uric acid levels.
Causes And Risk Factors
The main cause of gout is an increase in uric acid levels in the blood.
The following factors increase risk of gout
1. Dietary factors: Eating food 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, shrimp, shellfish, beans, dried mushrooms, and spinach. Besides excessive alcohol, intake is strongly linked with an increased risk of gout. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages are also linked with gout.
2. Some medical conditions make a person susceptible to gout. These include kidney disease, metabolic syndrome (It is a group of conditions including hypertension, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance and abnormal lipid levels), psoriasis, haemolytic anemia, diabetes and hypertension.
3. A positive family history of gout increases risk
4. Obesity also increases susceptibility
5. Males are at higher risk of developing gout as compared to females. In females, chances are more of developing gout after menopause.
6. The use of certain medicines, like thiazide diuretics, is linked with gout attacks. Some other medicines associated with gout attack are aspirin, beta blockers, immunosuppressive drugs ciclosporins and excessive use of vitamin D supplements.
7. Recent surgery or a physical trauma
Pathophysiology
In our body, when purines (present in certain food and drinks) break, then uric acid is formed. This uric acid is expelled via kidneys in urine. Gout occurs when there is an increase in the uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid levels increase either due to its overproduction (in 10% of cases), or decreased elimination of the uric acid from the body by the kidney (this is cause in 90% of the cases). As a result of increased uric acid levels in blood, uric acid crystals (known as as monosodium urate crystals) start accumulating in joints and soft tissue around it. These are sharp, needle-like crystals that trigger an inflammatory response, resulting in gout.
Complications Of Gout
1. A person may get recurrent attacks of gout each year
2. Joint erosion, damage and destruction
3. Formation of tophi (nodules under skin from deposits of urate crystals) that can form in any area like fingers, feet, hands and Achilles tendon. Tophi become tender during gout attack, at other times, are entirely painless.
4. In some cases, urate crystals tend to accumulate in urinary tract, leading to kidney stones.
Diagnosis And Investigations
1. Uric acid levels in blood: It is the most common test recommended in case of gout in which levels of serum uric acid are in blood are found to be elevated in gout. But its role in confirming gout is limited, as it is seen that many people have high uric acid level in blood but do not have gout, while some people have gout but their blood uric acid levels are normal.
2. Synovial fluid test: In doubtful cases, this test is suggested as it gives confirmatory diagnosis of gout. In this test, fluid from the affected joint is drawn with needles and checked under microscope. In case of gout, urate crystals are seen in this fluid.
3. Ultrasound of joint: It may help to check urate crystals in joint.
4. X-ray of joint: It may not be helpful in acute cases but in chronic cases, it may show joint erosions.
Hello Dr Sharma,
I have had Gout with elevated uric acid level which is under control without symptoms with allopurinol 300mg daily. I’d like to avoid big pharma if possible. I will have lab work done in a couple weeks and again 3 months later. During that 3 month period, I’d like to try homeopathy remedies rather than allopurinol. I don’t know the appropriate way to do that kind of trial. When I initially had the symptoms and the diagnosis was made, my symptoms were pain and inflammation of the great toe. Your advice is welcome.
Respectfully, Jodi Sheldon
Dear doctor,
which potency of Berberis is used for uric acid control?
Dr. My uric acid is 7.1 & RA factor is 26.6 IU/mL My left ring finger very stiff on bending despite knee pain.Pl advise me some effective homeopathic medicine.
Thanks
I have shoulder pain and restricted movement due to high uric acid 7.5 . The shoulder movement is restricted due to crystals deposited. I can’t lift my hands more then 90 degree angle.
Please suggest a good homeopathic medicine. I was taking to much beer.
Respected Dr. Sharma
My name is Nadeem age 62
I have few issues
1- chronic constipation
2- Ptostat benign enlargement
3- Pre diabatic
4- Burning, Numbness and tingling in feet soles
5-Numbness in legs
6- Whistling in ear
Please advise
My mother’s blood uric acid level is 7.8 and suffering from gout at heel with high inflammation and pain even after use of febuxostart 80 mg every day pl.suggest. my e mail id is rasmisir2016@gmail.com
Berberies vulgris 30 8 drops 3 time in once day
I checked my uric acid to be 7.2 and creatinine as 0.90 the doctor gave me allopathy medicine to have I tab daily. I don’t want to take it as I heard it affects the liver and also a person can become diabetic if he is not. Can you please suggest me homeopathy medicine. I shall abstain from food which is forbidden in uric acid
Hi Dr Sharma, can you have auric Acod deposits coming from and grains you can feel in your eyes, above your eyes and under your forehead and starting to come through the skin on your face. I have the sorest feet ever with constant pain on the actuall toes and some look like there deforming, the arches I’m my foot that has been diagnosed through an axis sore around the front as well as underneath i am 52yrs old and a Healthcare Assistant with the NHS, I have 4 dogs so am always out walking them, please help what do I do first. At the moment I am off work sick and have very limited pennies is this available through the NHS and I’m also in Scotland, thank you Irene Wilson.
Dr. Sharma,
my age 37 and last two months my uric acid level is 8.1 so please give me any advise
regard
sultan
Dear Doctor,
My uric acid level is 7.8, started knee pain when sitting a place , my job is full time infront of computer.
I alredy started exercise early morning 20 minute using the treadmill and joint rotation exersices.
Kindly advice if need any medicine
Sir, i am suffering from toe pain for last one year. Every walking step is very much painful. Uric acid level checked and found 5.9, pl advise medicine which can cure and get relieve from acute pain. Earlier i used to have redness,inflamation and burning sensation at the middle of both toes and adjacent areas. Nowadays i am feeling pain at the bottom of both toe also along with toe joint pain and occasional inflamation.pl advise medicine.
Since last 2 years suffering from knee pain and little swelling on legs. Leg swelling vanishes some times after night sleep. Uric acid level is 7.0. So please suggest homoeopathic medicine.
GOOD AFTER NOON
MY URIC ACID LEVEL IS 7.8 as laborty report but when i used medicine (zurig 80mg) four table in four days the level of uric acid comes down 5.4 . when its level is high in my body noi pain in any parts. pls recomaneded medicine for me.
Dear sir,
I am suffering for uric acid 6.77 my age 36 years old.
I am note drink wine and have non veg.
Please sir I am one person earning body working fild force and depended 6 members with me.
Does berberis vulgaris contain steroid
My father has deformed big toes and adjacent two toes. I think it is because of gout.
Please advise.
Sir, I have gout (high uric acid- 6.95) pain from last tr to till today . so pls Sir give information about it medicines
Dear Doctor. I am Mrs Kumkum Bose. My esr is 59 mm and Serum Uric Acid is 7.8 my I am having join pain and muscular pain. Kindly prescribe homeopathy medicine. My age is 65+. Mail id kkbose21@yahoo.co.in
My Father is 84 years old and he have a heart failure and highly levels of uric acid, and his skin is really etching that he will wake up during the night for help but nothing is helping, the doctor prescribed him Adenuric for Teduce the uric acid and avoid the scratching of the skin, but I was reading that Adenuric is dangerous for patients with circollatory problems and heart failure, and is better to non take anymore, because when he is taking this medication is really tired and not able to walk strong with his legs instead I notice when he doesn’t take the Adenuric he is more strong in walking and even his voice and everything looks more strong, but wath I can give to him to reduce the high levels of uric acid? And avoid the etching and scratching of the skin? Please answer me at soon is possible because in this way we can offer him some relief, thank you !!!
Dear sir i am 34year old and uric acid level is 8.78 .i have pain in joints of knee ,hand &shoulder but no swelling .i have pain in heel also.i have taken urtica urens 30 but uric acid not elevated .please suggest me proper medicine.