Gout causes - gout causes and treatment

Gout causes - gout causes and treatment

The main cause of gout is the uric acid accumulation in the joints. The uric acid is a chemical which is a resultant product of purines metabolism. The level of uric acid may be found and measured in the blood.

Hyperuricaemia is a condition where there is a rise in blood's uric acid level. This condition is responsible for forming excess uric acid crystals in the blood and promoting inflammation called gouty arthritis or acute gout.

Here are some causes of gout that are responsible for increased uric acid level in the body:

- Genetic - in some families higher than normal uric acid levels may be inherited.

- Obesity is another cause of gout and gout related attacks.

- Consumption of heavy alcohol and caffeine.

- Eating food rich in purines.

- Kidney diseases.

- Due to medication used for treating hypertension or high blood pressure.

The first step for gout treatment is to correct the factors that are responsible for increasing uric acid levels in the body. Make your best efforts to avoid purine rich food

Here are foods high in purines and to be avoided: Organ meat products such as liver, sweetbreads, kidneys, tripe, tongue, red meat, scallops, shellfish, peas, beans, lentils, alcohol and coffee, crash diets.

An important aspect for gout treatment is lowering the uric acid levels. There are many drugs available in the market these days that can bring down the uric acid level in the body. However, keep it in our mind that these drugs are only used to treat gout temporarily and should not be taken on a long-term basis. Doses of these drugs are based on blood - uric acid levels.