18/09/2023
CAUSES
Gout occurs when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, causing the inflammation and intense pain of a Gout attack. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood.
Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines — substances that are found naturally in your body, as well as in certain foods, such as steak, organ meats and seafood. Other foods also promote higher levels of uric acid, such as alcoholic beverages, especially beer, and drinks sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose).
Normally, uric acid dissolves in your blood and passes through your kidneys into your urine. But sometimes your body either produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needle-like urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation and swelling.
RISK FACTORS
You're more likely to develop Gout if you have high levels of uric acid in your body. Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include:
Diet. Eating a diet that's high in meat and seafood and high in beverages sweetened with fruit sugar (fructose) promotes higher levels of uric acid, which increases your risk of Gout. Alcohol consumption, especially of beer, also increases the risk of Gout.
Obesity. If you are overweight, your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys have a more difficult time eliminating uric acid, which greatly increases your risk of Gout.
Medical conditions. Certain diseases and conditions make it more likely that you'll develop Gout. These include untreated high blood pressure and chronic conditions such as Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, and heart and kidney diseases.
Certain medications. The use of thiazide diuretics — commonly used to treat hypertension — and low-dose aspirin also can increase uric acid levels. So can the use of anti-rejection drugs prescribed for people who have undergone an organ transplant.
Family history of Gout. If other members of your family have had Gout, you're more likely to develop the disease.
Age and s*x. Gout occurs more often in men, primarily because women tend to have lower uric acid levels. After Menopause, however, women's uric acid levels approach those of men. Men also are more likely to develop Gout earlier — usually between the ages of 30 and 50 — whereas women generally develop signs and symptoms after Menopause.
Recent surgery or Trauma. Experiencing recent surgery or Trauma has been associated with an increased risk of developing Gout.
COMPLICATIONS
People with Gout can develop more-severe conditions, such as:
Recurrent Gout. Some people may never experience Gout signs and symptoms again. But others may experience Gout several times each year. Medications may help prevent Gout attacks in people with recurrent Gout. If left untreated, Gout can cause erosion and destruction of a joint.
Advanced Gout. Untreated Gout may cause deposits of urate crystals to form under the skin in nodules called tophi (TOE-fie). Tophi can develop in several areas such as your fingers, hands, feet, elbows or Achilles tendons along the backs of your ankles. Tophi usually aren't painful, but they can become swollen and tender during Gout attacks.
Kidney stones. Urate crystals may collect in the urinary tract of people with Gout, causing Kidney stones. Medications can help reduce the risk of Kidney stones.
