Gout Causes

Uric acid is generated as the body's tissues are broken down during normal cell turnover. Some people with gout generate too much uric acid (10%). Other patients with gout do not effectively eliminate their uric acid into the urine (90%). Genetics, gender, and nutrition (alcoholism, obesity) play key roles in the development of gout.

• If your parents have gout, then you have a 20% chance of developing it.
  
  
• British people are five times more likely to develop gout.
  
  
• American blacks, but not African blacks, are more likely to have gout than other populations.
  
  
• Intake of alcoholic beverages, especially beer, increases the risk for gout.
  
  
• Diets rich in red meats, internal organs, yeast, and oily fish increase the risk for gout.
  
  
• Uric acid levels increase at puberty in men and at menopause in women, so men first develop gout at an earlier age (after puberty) than do women (after menopause). Gout in premenopausal women is distinctly unusual.

Attacks of gouty arthritis can be precipitated when there is a sudden change in uric acid levels, which may be caused by

• overindulgence in alcohol and red meats
  
  
• trauma
  
  
• starvation and dehydration
  
  
• IV contrast dyes
  
  
• chemotherapy
  
  
• medications
  
  
  • diuretics and some other hypertensive medications
    
    
  • aspirin
    
    
  • nicotinic acid
    
    
  • cyclosporin A
    
    
  • allopurinol and probenecid
    
    
  • others

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