Causes for Gout

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Gout is usually caused by a chemical in the blood called uric acid. Uric acid is usually a harmless acid and is generally passed out with the urine. But, sometimes the level of uric acid in the blood may become too high. When the level of uric acid becomes high, crystals of uric acid may form. These crystals typically collect in a joint which ultimately leads to inflammation, swelling, and pain - or in other words we can say its a gout attack.

Common Causes of Gout includes:

Obesity - Being overweight increases the risk of developing hyperuricemia and gout because there is more tissue available for turnover or breakdown, which leads to excess uric acid production.
An enzyme defect that interferes with the way the body breaks down purines causes gout in a small number of people, many of whom have a family history of gout.
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is generally linked to high uric acid levels, leading to formation of gout. High uric levels are also linked to other conditions such as heart disease.
Some Anti-Inflammatory Medicines - Anti-Inflammatory Medications like Diuretics, aspirin or chemotherapy treatment for cancer can increase uric acid levels.
Genetics: Gout often runs in families being passed down from one generation to the next.
Alcohol: High alcohol intake, (particularly beer and wine) is a risk factor which often precedes a gout attack as it increases uric acid levels in the body.

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