Home care solutions provide gout pain relief for painful feet

(The Best Years in Life) Oh, the pain. That agonizing, crippling, mind-numbing agony from chronic gout attacks that begs for immediate gout pain relief for burning hot, swollen toes, feet and ankles. The gout sufferer can change his diet, take medications, use herbs and alternative treatments, but anyone who has suffered the excruciating pains of gouty arthritis knows there are no quick fixes for joint pain relief from gout attacks. The next best thing is to provide a variety of home care aids to help the unfortunate patient cope during an attack while waiting for various medications and supplements to kick in.

Below is a list of home care solutions that can be easily implemented enabling a person disabled with gout to maintain his or her dignity and remain somewhat independent.

Foot Baths

Foot baths using Epsom salts soothe painful feet, relieve some of the swelling and inflammation and provide a natural remedy for gout. Add some organic apple cider vinegar for an additional soothing, natural gout cure.

Use lukewarm water in a footbath large enough to comfortably place both feet in the container. Add half a cup each of Epsom salts and apple cider vinegar to the water. Soak for 20 minutes as many times during the day as needed.

Making the Patient Ambulatory

Giving the gout patient a way to move around the house freely saves his dignity and allows him to help himself during a gout attack.

• Purchase a rolling secretary chair. Be sure it has a large enough seat to be comfortable and offers adequate back support. Check to be sure the wheels are secure and roll freely on floors. The chair should have five wheels for best balance. Be sure the chair seat height is adjustable. This is a great way to get around the house during gout attacks. Consider removing carpeting from the area where the gout patient spends most of his time and keeping floors bare to make movement easier. Chairs move easier on hardwood or vinyl floors. Measure to be sure chair will fit easily through doors and hallways. An individual can sit in a chair like this and scoot around with the foot that isn't hurting, allowing her freedom of movement.
• Remove high thresholds from doorways between rooms to allow for rolling chairs or walkers to pass easily. Replace with thin metal threshold strips that lay flush to the floor or smooth and leave the section flat without a threshold strip.
• Install a ramp to make it easier to navigate steps. If there are too many steps for a ramp, install a chair rail system on your stairs.
• Keep a cane on hand to help with walking when the gout sufferer is feeling unsteady. Using a cane is great to help steer and push the rolling chair when one's legs are too week to do so.
• Buy a walker with wheels and a seat -- called a rollator -- for those who suffer frequent gout attacks. These can take the place of rolling chairs, although not quite as comfortable. Always make sure they are equipped with easy-to-work hand brakes and that the walker will fit through doors, hallways and around furniture.