Overall, this is a somewhat loaded question. If we’re talking about an actual Gout “attack,” then yes, it will go away for the most part. Most Gout attacks will resolve on their own, with or without treatment. The attacks typically peak 12-24 hours after onset and then gradually resolve, with full recovery occurring within one to two weeks. Some Gout sufferers have only 1-2 attacks per year, and those who are fortunate, only 1-2 times in their lifetime. Chronic Gout sufferers, on the other hand, can have frequent attacks with very little time in between, with some being so unfortunate as to never have complete resolution of inflammation and pain in between attacks. Once tophi (hard uric acid deposits under the skin) have formed, this stage of chronic Gout can cause significant joint destruction and even deformity.
This is a loaded question because once you have Gout, you must be aware of it for the rest of your life. Few people are fortunate enough to have a “one and done” forever attack. Gout, for the most part, does not simply “go away.” There are many misconceptions about this condition. Gout is one of the oldest recorded diseases and was once thought to be a rare condition, but it is now the most common type of arthritis in people over the age of 40. Most people consider it to be a mild form of arthritis, but it is by far one of the most painful. Ignoring Gout can result in serious complications such as permanent joint damage, kidney stones, kidney damage, heart problems, and other complications.
Another widely held misconception is that Gout only affects the big toe. Because the big toe is the furthest away from the heart and the coldest, it is the most vulnerable to uric acid settlement. Gout, on the other hand, can settle anywhere, including but not limited to the ankles, wrists, knees, elbows, fingers, and various parts of the feet.
An accurate and memorable description of a gout attack was elegantly written in 1683 by Dr. Thomas Sydenham who was himself a sufferer of gout:
“The victim goes to bed and sleeps in good health. About 2 o’clock in the morning, he is awakened by a severe pain in the great toe; more rarely in the heel, ankle or instep. This pain is like that of a dislocation, and yet the parts feel as if cold water were poured over them. Then follows chills and shiver and a little fever. The pain which at first moderate becomes more intense. With its intensity the chills and shivers increase. After a time, this comes to a full height, accommodating itself to the bones and ligaments of the tarsus and metatarsus. Now it is a violent stretching and tearing of the ligaments – now it is a gnawing pain and now a pressure and tightening. So exquisite and lively meanwhile is the feeling of the part affected, that it cannot bear the weight of bedclothes nor the jar of a person walking in the room.”
Despite this, it is important to remember that uric acid is a powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from DNA damage. Uric acid is an antioxidant that protects the linings of our blood vessels. As a result, maintaining a steady supply of Uric Acid is critical for protecting our blood vessels.
We need to find a happy medium. Attempting to stop natural uric acid production with prescription medications can backfire and leave us with unwanted side effects. There are natural methods for lowering uric acid production and improving the body’s ability to excrete it properly.
