What to Do If Gout Is Causing Pain or Discomfort at Night

Gout pain can get worse at night for a number of reasons, such as changes in your hormones, changes in your body position, and fewer distractions.

Gout is a type of arthritis resulting from uric acid buildup in your joints. It can be painful, and the pain can feel like it gets worse at night, making it harder for you to get sleep.

But there are some medications and home remedies that you can try to relieve gout pain or discomfort at night. Read on to learn more.

Is gout worse at night?

There are several reasons that gout pain may feel worse at night.

Hormones and circadian rhythm

Your body produces several hormones at different levels throughout the day to respond to your circadian rhythm .

When your body is experiencing pain and inflammation from gout, it may produce more cortisol , a stress hormone that can amplify your perception of pain and keep you from getting sleep but can also then decrease inflammation.

Estrogen and progesterone can also fall out of balance , increasing uric acid buildup that keeps you from resting and that may increase pain sensations.

Hormones also trigger your body temperature to change when you fall asleep. As your body temperature drops, uric acid is more likely to build up in the joints.

Hormones also cause your breathing to slow down. When you breathe slower, you don’t breathe out as much carbon dioxide. And as carbon dioxide builds up, your blood can become more acidic, increasing how much uric acid is in your blood.

Body positioning

How you lie when you try to sleep can change the effects of pressure and gravity on your body.

If you have gout pain in your foot, lying on the side with the affected foot can put pressure on the hip and leg, increasing pain and discomfort.

Fewer distractions

You might be able to ignore your pain during the day when you’re distracted by your daily tasks . But when you’re trying to fall asleep at night, the pain may seem more obvious or worse because you don’t have something else to focus on.

Changing positions a lot to help reduce the pain may also keep you awake, causing you to notice the pain even more.

How can I make my gout stop hurting at night?

Here are some tips to help make your gout stop hurting at night.

Drink plenty of water

Drink plenty of water before bed to help your body process uric acid more easily.

This can reduce the buildup of uric acid in your joints and bring you some relief, as the body processes uric acid more effectively at night, when you normally drink less water.

Try going to the bathroom before bed so you’re not waking up to urinate in the middle of the night.

Take anti-inflammatory medication or over-the-counter pain relievers

Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) , such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), can help relieve pain at night by reducing joint inflammation that results in pain.

Raise the affected joint

Blood can pool in a joint when you’re asleep, making inflammation worse.

Raising the joint when you’re in bed, such as by elevating your foot above the rest of your body, can reduce pain from inflammation if you have swelling in the joint.

Apply ice

Applying an ice pack or a cold compress to the joint may help relieve pain and swelling.

Cold constricts blood vessels and slows down circulation, reducing inflammation that causes pain in the joint.

Use gout pain relief cream

Using an OTC or prescription-strength gout pain relief cream may reduce pain at night.

Try applying a cream like diclofenac (Voltaren) to help with pain and stiffness that may feel worse at night with gout.

How to sleep during a gout flare

Here are some tips for improving sleep during a gout flare:

• Elevate your affected joint using a pillow or bunched-up blankets.
• Keep your room temperature cool and comfortable .
• Use pain relievers or creams to reduce the intensity of your pain.
• Wrap your affected joint in a cold compress, but avoid wrapping it so tightly that it decreases circulation.

Other gout treatments

Other gout treatments that can help you with gout pain include:

• limiting high purine foods and beverages , such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol
• getting regular exercise
• maintaining a moderate body weight
• using supportive devices like splints or shoe insoles
• preventing stress
• avoiding caffeine
• taking medications like allopurinol (Lopurin) or probenecid (Probalan)
• getting surgery

Read more about treating gout.

When to contact a doctor

Contact a doctor if your gout pain is severe enough to keep you awake at night, even when you try pain relievers or other home remedies for pain relief.

You should also contact a doctor right away if you suddenly have intense pain in the affected joint or if you have a fever .

Frequently asked questions about stopping gout pain at night

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about stopping gout pain at night.

Why does gout hurt so bad at night?

Your body undergoes many changes to your hormone levels, breathing, and body position when you go to bed at night. All of these factors can result in gout pain that feels worse.

What relieves gout pain immediately?

NSAID pain relievers and gout pain relief creams, such as Voltaren, may help relieve gout pain quickly. They may not work immediately, but they often provide fast pain relief that can help you get better sleep.

Should I walk with gout?

Walking with gout is safe. In some cases, walking around can actually help make your gout pain feel better. But consider resting the affected joint if the pain is intense and if walking makes the pain worse.

Takeaway

It’s possible for gout pain to feel worse at night.

Try making your affected joint and your environment more comfortable. For example, you can use a combination of pain relief options, make certain lifestyle changes to reduce gout flares, and keep your room cool at night.