Gout Causes & Risks

Many people with gout have a family history of the condition. Although gout is more common in men than women, post-menopausal women are more prone than younger women to developing this form of arthritis. The following factors may also increase your risk... Full Answer

Gout comes on when your body either makes too much or excretes (in your urine) too little uric acid -- a byproduct of purine (a chemical that's in almost all human tissues and some foods). It's those uric acid molecules that cause trouble when... Full Answer

Gout may not impress those who have never experienced it. A type of arthritis afflicting more men than women, the most common symptom of gout is pain in the big toe. Those who have stubbed a toe and hopped around the room for a few minutes yelling may... Full Answer

Gout affects men more frequently than women, probably because men have higher uric acid levels than women. That changes at menopause, however, which explains why men tend to develop gout between ages 30 and 50, while women are more likely to... Full Answer

Poor eating habits that lead to obesity often increase levels of uric acid in the blood. Higher levels of uric acid increase your risk of developing primary gout. Losing weight can help lower uric acid levels, reducing the frequency of attacks. Full Answer

Ice-cold sodas and fruity drinks may hit the spot on a warm weekend, but could sipping unsweetened tea instead save you from a pain-filled future? Maybe so. In a study, the more of a common soft-drink sweetener called fructose that men consumed,... Full Answer

Unfortunately, damage to your joints cannot be reversed. However, with treatment, any additional damage to the joints can be prevented. In some cases, surgery may be used to remove large deposits of tophi (uric crystal) from under the skin. If you... Full Answer

Yes. As we age, kidney function may decline and the risk for gout increases. People who previously had infrequent intermittent attacks may begin to experience more frequent, more debilitating attacks. Many effective treatments for gout exist, and only... Full Answer

Plasma uric acid levels depend on the metabolism of purines from the diet, which typically derived from proteins. Fruits are typically low in protein, and thus do not have a large affect on serum uric acid levels. Even purine-rich vegetables (such as... Full Answer

Plasma uric acid levels depend on the metabolism of purines from the diet, which typically derive from proteins. Breads, being low in proteins, do not typically raise serum uric acid levels. Full Answer