Epsom Salt & Gout

Linked to arthritis gout affects your joints and can leave you in extreme pain. Gout is more prevalent in men than women as men have higher levels of uric acid in their bodies which causes gout. Although there are numerous treatments for gout including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, home remedies like the use of Epsom salt can also provide relief from gout symptoms as reported by the John Hopkins Arthritis Center.

Background

Gout is classed as a very painful form of arthritis. Usually uric acid is removed from your body by being excreted in urine. However, if your body produces excess uric acid or if uric acid isn't excreted by your kidney's properly then it accumulates in your body in the form of urate crystals. Urate crystals are sharp crystals that form in the tissue surrounding your joints resulting in pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of gout can occur at any time of the day but are usually more prevalent during the night, according to staff at Mayo Clinic. Usually the primary symptom of gout is extreme pain starting in the joint of your big toe, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Gout may affect other joints of your body like your knees, elbows, fingers, wrists and ankles. You may also experience inflammation, redness and swelling in the affected areas.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a mineral compound mined from natural sources; it's comprised of magnesium and sulfate. It has health, beauty and household benefits. It can be used to alleviate the symptoms of gout. “Salt Works” states, sulfates help to flush toxins out of your body and help with the formation of joint proteins. Magnesium reduces muscle pain and inflammation while aiding nerve functions by the regulation of electrolytes.

Epsom Salt Remedy

To relieve the symptoms of gout soak your body in an Epsom salt bath or if the pain is centered in your feet have a foot bath. Both magnesium and sulfate are readily absorbed from the skin's surface. Obesity Diseases recommends adding 500 g of Epsom salt to a bath filled with hot water and then to soak your body two to three times per week. To ease the pain in your feet add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a basin of hot water and soak your feet for 20 minutes.