You have probably heard of the painful condition known as gout, but did you know it’s a form of arthritis triggered by a metabolic imbalance in your system? Read on to learn all about gout.
According to the American Medical Association, gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the body and affects more than 9 million people in the United States each year. There are four types of gout:
- Idiopathic gout, where the underlying cause of the elevated uric acid levels and subsequent gout attack is unknown
- Lead-induced gout, which can occur as a delayed complication of lead poisoning, often due to kidney damage caused by lead toxicity
- Drug-induced gout, which occurs as a side effect of certain medications
- Chronic gout, characterized by frequent attacks and uric acid buildup
Risk Factors
Gout can affect anyone, but your chances are higher if you’re:
- Overweight or obese
- Consume a lot of meat or seafood
- Drink beverages sweetened with fructose or alcohol, especially beer
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, or kidney disease
- Take certain medications, such as thiazide diuretics or low-dose aspirin
Men are at a higher risk of having gout than women, but women’s chances increase after menopause.
What You Can Do
It is important to always check with your provider before taking any medication they have not approved. You never know what drug interactions may occur, even when taking over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
If you ever have symptoms of gout, such as sudden pain in a joint (often the big toe) with redness and swelling, contact your provider right away. They can diagnose gout and prescribe medication to help with the pain and reduce the risk of future attacks.
Sources:
What Is Gout? JAMA Network, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787544
