Gout, or hyperuricemia, develops due to increased levels of uric acid crystals that accumulate throughout the blood (hyperuricemia), tissues and joints. A gout attack, or flare up, occurs over the long term, when uric acid crystals buildup and cause painful inflammation or gouty arthritis.
While the exact cause of gout is unknown, medical professionals have identified several factors that cause gout to develop—including family (heredity), existing conditions, high body weight, diet, and medical history. A gout attack is triggered when a joint (most often the big toe) becomes inflamed, red, stiff, and burns. Gout flare ups tend to gradually subside over a few hours or day, however, they reappear, and if left untreated by a medical professional can lead to permanent joint tissue damage. The following factors often contribute to high uric acid levels and gout attacks:
1. Heredity
A family history of any chronic condition often increases the risk for offspring. There is no difference with gout, which exists in roughly 80% of patients if gout already runs in the family.
2. Diet
Gout, or rather high uric acid, has been linked to individuals with diets rich in purine foods, such as seafood, alcohol, fructose-sweet drinks, and red meat.
3. Excess weight
Body weight is linked to the development of several chronic health conditions, including gout. This is because overweight individuals are prone to producing excess uric acid in order to break down total body tissues, which mean the kidneys have to work harder to eliminate uric acid from the body.
4. Lack of certain enzymes
If you have Kelley-Seegmiller (Lesch-Nyhan) syndrome chances are you likely already have heightened uric acid levels. Individuals with this syndrome lack the xanthine oxidase enzyme, which catalyzes uric acid formation in healthy individuals to prevent gout.
5. Age
The Mayo Clinic claims gout can develop in adults of any age, however, males vs. females tend to develop gout more often due to producing higher uric acid levels compared to women.
6. Gender
Men are also prone to developing gout between the ages of 30-years-old to 50 of age. Women who develop gout, on the other hand, tend to do so after their menopausal years.
7. Existing medical conditions
As mentioned, certain medical issues tend to increase the risk of other medical conditions (i.e., gout). Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney or heart disease, and metabolic syndrome tend to be prevalent also to gout. In addition, long-term users of aspirin, niacin, diuretics (to treat hypertension), and anti-rejection drugs after an organ transplant patients are at increased risk of developing gout.
