What is Gout?
A form of arthritis that is a painful inflammation and swelling of the joints caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body. Certain foods cause gout so diet plays a role. Treatment of gout can be acheived through medication and proper diet.
Gout is caused by a build up of uric acid (urate) in your blood. Urate is a normally harmless waste product which is formed when the body breaks down substances known as purines. Two thirds of your urate is produced by your kidneys. The other third is produced by your digestive system. Purines are found naturally in the body, but are also found in some foods and certain types of alcohol.
Causes of Gout
If you drink sugar-sweetened soft drinks high in fructose it can cause uric acid to build up. A recent research study found that having two drinks a day of a sugar sweetened soft drink increased the risk of developing gout by 85%. (Drinks labelled as ‘diet' or drinks containing artificial sweeteners were not found to increase the risk.) Fructose rich fruits and fruit juices may also increase the risk.
Certain foods may 'tip the balance' to raise your uric acid higher than normal. In particular, if you eat a lot of heart, herring, sardines, yeast extracts, or mussels it may increase the level of uric acid. However, eating a normal balanced diet should not have much effect on the uric acid level.
Mechanism behind Emergence of Gout
In normal cases, the metabolism process in human body produces Uric acid as its end product as Uricase, digestive enzyme secretion from kidney, beaks down the Purines from the food. However, in pathological stage, due to the decline in the levels of Uricase elevation in the quantity of uric acid is found. As kidney failed to discard this uric acid through urine, it experiences the saturation of this in the blood (Hyperuricaemia). This raised levels of uric acid in blood lead to deposits of microscopic, sharp needle like crystals of Monosodium Urate at joints.
If your parents have gout, then you have a 20% chance of developing it.
British people are five times more likely to develop gout.
Some medications can prevent uric acid from leaving the body. This can cause a build up of uric acid crystals and cause an attack of gout.
Alcohol and certain foods can trigger a gout attack.
Events such as strokes, heart attacks or surgery may also cause gout.
Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Most of the time, having too much uric acid is not harmful. Many people with high levels in their blood never get gout. But when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints.
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. The excess can be caused by an increase in production of uric acid in the body and by the inability of the kidneys to adequately clear uric acid from the body.
Related Articles
Understanding the Causes of Gout
By: Groshan Fabiola | 15/05/2006 | Health
There are many factors that contribute to the development of gout. Genetic factors, age, obesity, metabolism, improper diet, smoking and the abuse of alcohol are all considered to be the causes of gout.
Cherries as an Effective Natural Remedy for Gout
By: Groshan Fabiola | 25/06/2006 | Health
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the excessive accumulation of uric acid inside the organism. In large amounts, uric acid forms crystals which deposit in various regions of the body,
Understanding Gout Attacks
By: Groshan Fabiola | 25/06/2006 | Health
Gout predominantly affects middle age and elderly people, rarely occurring in young adults or children. Although it occurs in both sexes, gout has the highest incidence in the male gender. Women usually develop the disease at more advanced stages of life,
Gout - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
By: peterhutch | 07/07/2008 | Diseases & Conditions
Gout (also called metabolic arthritis) is a disease created by a buildup of uric acid. In this condition, monosodium urate or uric acid crystals are deposited on the articular cartilage of joints, tendons and surrounding tissues due to elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood stream.
Food That Cause Gout: the Root of the Problem
By: submit111@gmail.com | 20/12/2007 | Diseases & Conditions
The best way to avoid gout is to keep away from the food that cause gout. To determine which foods are detrimental, you should first get to know the main factors that contribute to the development of gout. Uric acids and purines are precursors to gouty flare-ups, so you should look for food or beverages that are low in purines, low in uric acids and sufficient in Alkalines.
Get Information About Gout Diet and Treatment
By: peterhutch | 05/05/2008 | Health
Gout is a form of arthritis that's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness and tenderness in joints. The cause of gout is a high blood level of uric acid (hyperuricemia), which can accumulate in joints and lead to inflammation. Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines — substances which are found naturally in your body as well as in certain foods.
Common Causes of Gout: Sometimes They're Not Easy to Avoid
By: Trevor Mulholland | 14/04/2006 | Health
Though scientists are as yet uncertain about how gout really occurs, they have discovered that the causes of gout can be genetic or environmental in nature. Knowing the things and events that can cause the disease would be a big step in reducing one's ri
Issues Regarding Gout Treatment
By: Groshan Fabiola | 15/05/2006 | Health
Due to improper diet, sedentary lifestyle and obesity, many people suffer from gout these days. Gout predominantly affects men and the disease is most likely to occur at a more advanced age. Men with ages over 50 usually develop forms of gout. In some cases, women can also develop the disease after the age of 60.
More from james sameul
Hives -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Hives usually cause itching, but may also burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. Hives vary in size (from a pencil eraser to a dinner plate), and may join together to form larger areas known as plaques.
Hiccups -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Treating any underlying disorder will usually cure the associated hiccups. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) relieves intractable hiccups in 80% of cases. Metoclopramide (Reglan), carbamazepam, valproic acid (Depakene), and phenobarbital are also used.
Hernia -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Diseases & Conditions
Upper endoscopy is more accurate than a barium swallow radiograph and may be performed in a hospital or a doctor’s office. The doctor may spray your throat to numb it and then, after lightly sedating you, will slide a thin, flexible plastic tube with a light and lens on the end called an endoscope down your throat.
Graves Disease -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Tremors (fine trembling of the hands and fingers)
Changes in menstrual patterns (usually lighter flow, less frequent periods)
The thyroid gland grows larger (goiter) as it produces more and more hormone. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Fibromyalgia -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Diseases & Conditions
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a human disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and tactile allodynia.[1] While the criteria for such an entity have not yet been thoroughly developed, the recognition that fibromyalgia involves more than just pain has led to the frequent use of the term "fibromyalgia syndrome".
Epilepsy -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Diseases & Conditions
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.[1][2] These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal,
Enlarged Prostate -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Diseases & Conditions
Treatment for an enlarged prostate is determined by your signs and symptoms and their severity. If you have significant problems, such as urinary bleeding, persistent urinary tract infections,
Endometriosis -causes, Symptoms, Treatment
By: james sameul | 16/06/2008 | Women's Health
The term endometriosis refers to a benign and common disease in which cells like the ones that line the inside of the womb are established outside the womb e.g. on the ligament supporting the uterus. in the ovaries, tubes, pelvis, bowels, bladder, etc. In patients with endometriosis,
Health 
