Gout Causes & Risks

Causes

Gout typically occurs if you have high levels of uric acid in your blood (called hyperuricemia). But, you could also have normal uric levels and still have gout.

The liver metabolizes uric acid, and the kidneys get rid of it through the urine. Levels of uric acid build up when:

• Too much uric acid is produced
• Not enough uric acid is eliminated

If you have gout and hyperuricemia, your body doesn't eliminate enough uric acid.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing gout. All causes of hyperuricemia are risk factors for gout.

Risk factors include:

• Obesity , sudden weight gain, or rapid weight loss
• Age: over 40 years old
• Sex: male
• Family members with gout
• Diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
• Certain medications, such as aspirin
• High-purine diet (uric acid occurs when purines are broken down), for example:
  • Liver and other organ meats
  • Dried beans and peas
  • Anchovies
  • Gravies
• Alcohol use , especially binge drinking
• Certain types of cancer or cancer treatments (eg, cytotoxic drugs)
• Medications (eg, antiseizure, anti-rejection medications)
• Dehydration
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Kidney disease