Causes of Gout

Sharp crystals that cause inflammation within the joint can result in a person developing gout. These sharp crystals develop from high levels of uric acid in the blood. While there are no one reason why a person might develop high levels of uric acid, there are some factors that can increase a person's risk. Some of the things that can increase this risk include having family members with the disease, being a man, being overweight, and eating too many foods rich in purines.

Information on Gout

An Introduction to the Causes of Gout

Gout is caused when the levels of uric acid become so high that crystals form inside the joint. These urate crystals cause inflammation. This combination of urate crystals in the joint and inflammation result in the signs and symptoms of gout.

Understanding Uric Acid and How It Causes Gout

Uric acid is a substance that forms from the breakdown of purines. Purines are part of all human tissue, and are also found in many foods. Normally, when uric acid forms, it dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys and out of the body in urine. Some uric acid also passes out the body through the intestines. But for a variety of reasons, uric acid can build up in the blood. Generally, this occurs when:

The body increases the amount of uric acid it makes
The kidneys or intestines do not get rid of enough uric acid
A combination of these two things occurs.

A high level of uric acid in the blood is known as hyperuricemia. Most people with hyperuricemia do not develop gout. But in some people, this uric acid can become so concentrated that crystals (known as urate crystals) can form in the joint and cause inflammation. The higher the uric acid levels in the blood, the greater the chance of developing gout.

(Causes of Gout Continued: Page 2)