How to Learn the Risk Factors Associated with Gout

Gout is a medical condition that results from an abnormal level of uric acid which accumulates and crystallizes in the blood. This occurs due to the body’s inability to properly metabolize purines that are found in foods rich in protein. The body cannot breakdown the purines and this encourages the abnormal uric acid levels, which then produce crystals that will deposit in joints. When the crystals accumulate in the joints, it will cause arthritic symptoms that are accompanied by extreme amounts of pain. The crystals of uric acid can also deposit in the kidneys and form kidney stones. Because gout can be an often painful and debilitating medical condition, it is good to know the risk factors that are associated with the disease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Genes and genetics play a major role in whether a person is more susceptible to contracting gout. So, a family history of gout increases the chances of a person having this condition.
2. Gout seems to appear more in men than in women. This means gender is a predisposing risk factor for gout.
3. Obesity heightens a person’s risk for gout. It can be contributed to poor dietary habits that may include more foods that are high in protein.
4. People that drink alcohol, moderately to heavily, and prefer to drink beer as their alcohol of choice places themselves at a higher risk for Gout. The composition of beer is high in purines and a person at risk for Gout will have trouble metabolizing purines.
5. Choosing a diet of foods that are high and rich in purines can contribute to abnormal levels of uric acid build up in the blood stream. Foods rich in purines are meats, seafood and other high protein foods.
6. Taking medications like a diuretic place a person at risk for gout. Diuretics remove excess salts and water from the body and this can contribute to higher levels of uric acid in the blood stream.
7. Using aspirin to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke is a well known prescribed method of prevention. But, taking more than 2 aspirins in a day can up your risk for gout.
8. Exposure to high concentrated levels of lead can result in causing the medical condition gout.
9. Dehydration of the body places a person at risk for gout because dehydration will trigger uric acid accumulation in the blood stream. So, people that have surgery and are on NPO (nothing by mouth) orders often go a few days without foods and liquids, and this can actually put them at risk for gout or initiate a first encounter with the condition.
10. Having certain medical conditions can increase the likelihood of contracting gout. Some of these conditions include: kidney disease, heart disease, leukemias, lymphomas, hypertension, artherosclerosis and diabetes. Most of these medical conditions affect blood circulation and filtering, which can trigger uric acid build up.

Tips & Warnings

• Having any arthritic symptoms like pain and swelling of the joints should be followed up with a visit to a doctor. It may not be gout-inspired, but knowing the risk factors will help you help your doctor determine if it is.