Top Risk Factors for Developing Gout

Image by Vanessa Pike-Russell via FlickrGout is a painful form of arthritis that usually affects the big toe. Because of elevated uric acid levels in the blood, the joints become red, swollen, and stiff. The uric acid crystallizes and accumulates in the joints, usually at the joint at the base of the big toe. Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes out through the kidneys into the urine. However, there are cases where the body either produces too much uric acid or the kidneys excrete too little uric acid.

It may also affect the ankles, heels, instep, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. It is described as pain that occurs suddenly, often at night, and without warning. There are factors that increase the uric acid levels in the body such as excessive alcohol use. It has been found out that beer is the type of alcohol that is most strongly associated with gout. This is mostly noted in younger adults who often engage in binge drinking.

Individuals with a family history of gout are also at an increased risk of developing the disease. About one out of five people with gout has a family history of the condition.

Diet plays a major role in gout development. It is particularly related to excessive consumption of meat and seafood. It is best to stay away from foods that are high in protein and high in purines such as mussels, scallops, sardines, herring, hearts, kidneys, liver, and anchovies.

Men are at a greater risk for gout development and men commonly experience the initial gout attack between the ages of 30 and 50. In women, the risk increases after menopause. By the age of 60, the incidence is about the same in men and women.

There are also certain medications that can lead to increased uric acid levels because they impair the ability of the body to remove uric acid. Some drugs include diuretics, niacin or nicotinic acid, salicylates such as aspirin, cyclosporine, and levodopa.

The treatment for gout are lifestyle and diet changes, prescription medications, and gout supplements particularly those that contain wild cherry such as GouTrol.