Is Hyaluronic Acid an Effective Gout Remedy?

There has been a good deal of attention given to hyaluronic acid for optimum joint health lately, with the question on many peoples lips being whether or not it is an effective gout remedy.

Hyaluronic acid is already commonly used in anti-aging and skin-care treatments, but more recently it has been applied to treating painful joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and gout.

The driver behind this new use of hyaluronic acid is because it is found naturally within the connective tissue of the joints, which is responsible for cushioning and lubricating them for better function. So by using hyaluronic acid treatments you are adding to the body's own naturally produced joint defenses.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally within the glycosaminoglycan of the body (a major structural component of cartilage, which helps to cushion the joints). It's found in ample supply in most areas where joint problems can occur such as in the knees, knuckles, shoulders, elbows, hips, and it's even found in the eyes and the heart valves.

Abnormalities in hyaluronic acid are common throughout many kinds of connective tissue disorders such as varying forms of arthritis, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), and gout.

Hyaluronic acid is now used as a preparation to treat the inflammation that can occur in skeletal joints. It also helps to fight the wearing out of cartilage structures as is typical in many joint diseases.

This therapy is considered more beneficial for many people than other common medication treatments, such as cortisone. Cortisone, though effective in the short-term for relieving gout pain, may accelerate the degenerative process of many joint diseases such as osteoarthritis over time, so may not be the ideal gout remedy in the long run.

As long as the preparation of hyaluronic acid is pure it is often free of negative side effects, however sufferers who have allergies should avoid this treatment. The most common side effect reported seems to be a 'chicken pox like' rash, which can appear on the face or body.

Hyaluronic acid works effectively to counteract the inflammation associated with gout and other inflammatory joint conditions. The preparation as a gout remedy can be applied either as an injection into the effected joint, taken as an oral supplement or in the form of a cream that is rubbed into the skin on the affected area(s).

If you choose to use hyaluronic acid in its cream form it can take anywhere from between 10 - 45 minutes to experience relief from gout pain. The cream can be applied daily as required during a gout flare. When hyaluronic acid is taken in supplement form it can be taken daily as a preventative whereas injections would usually only be administered during an actual gout flare.

If you would like to know whether hyaluronic acid will be a good gout remedy choice for you, or if you want to know if there is another form of treatment that will also be helpful, speak to your doctor to discuss your options.