Risk factors and causes of gout

Gout is a form of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) that causes joints to feel painful, swollen, and red. These gout symptoms appear suddenly and most often affect the joints in the feet and hands. However, do you know what causes gout? What are the factors that increase your risk of having this condition?

The main cause of gout

The main cause of gout is uric acid levels (uric acid) that's too high in the body. A person is said to have levels uric acid high if the uric acid test results he did reach 6.0 mg / dL in women and 7.0 mg / dL in men. The normal uric acid level is below that number.

Uric acid is actually a substance that is formed when the body breaks down purines. Purines are natural compounds that exist in the body and can also be found in various foods and drinks that you consume.

Under normal conditions, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is processed and excreted by the kidneys in the form of urine. However, uric acid levels that exceed normal can build up and form crystals, which are called monosodium urate, at the joints. These uric acid crystals then cause inflammation and pain in the joints.

There are various things that can cause high uric acid levels. However, the main factor that triggers this condition is an unhealthy lifestyle, especially eating too many foods that contain purines.

This unhealthy lifestyle is also what often causes gout at a young age. Apart from lifestyle, other factors can increase a person's risk of having high uric acid levels and developing this disease.

9 risk factors that can cause high uric acid

There are several factors that can increase uric acid levels, putting you at risk for this disease. Factors that can trigger gout are:

1. Consumption of foods and drinks high in excess purine

The most common causes of high uric acid come from foods or drinks high in purines. The reason is, excess purine intake from food can further increase the levels of natural purines in the body.

The more purines in the body, the more uric acid will be formed, so that it can accumulate in the joints. Various foods that can cause gout, namely:

• Alcohol.
• Beverages and beverages contain sweeteners.
• Vegetables that are high in purines, such as spinach and asparagus.
• Red meat.
• Innards.
• Seafood (seafood), such as tuna, sardines, anchovies, and shellfish.

2. Consumption of certain drugs

Certain drugs can cause you to experience gout pain, namely diuretics and several other drugs commonly used to treat hypertension, such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, and low doses of aspirin.

Taking long-term diuretic drugs can increase uric acid levels in the body. The reason is, this type of drug can make you urinate more frequently, thereby reducing the amount of fluid in the body.

The lack of fluids can inhibit the process of getting rid of uric acid by the kidneys. This condition is what eventually causes gout at a later date.

3. Certain diseases or medical conditions

Several medical conditions can contribute to high uric acid levels. The reason is, several medical conditions can affect the way the kidneys filter uric acid or can cause more uric acid to be produced. Here are some of these medical conditions:

• Kidney illness

The American Kidney Fund says, chronic kidney disease can cause the kidneys to not function properly in filtering waste, including uric acid. This condition causes uric acid to be unable to get out maximally so that it accumulates in the joints.

• Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose levels are above normal, either due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance. Research shows that insulin resistance can lead to high uric acid levels. In addition, insulin resistance is also associated with obesity and hypertension, which are other risk factors for gout.

• Psoriasis

Having psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be the cause of your gout. Reporting from the Arthritis Foundation, in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, gout is considered a byproduct of rapid skin cell turnover and systemic inflammation.

In addition, several other medical conditions are said to be the cause of your high uric acid levels, such as:

• Sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• Hypothyroidism
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Several types of cancer
• Some rare genetic disorders

4. Increased age and male gender

Gout is more common in men than women. The reason is, women have lower uric acid levels than men. However, uric acid levels in postmenopausal women increased closer to men's levels.

Therefore, gout is generally more common in adult men at the age of 30-50 years, while women are at risk of developing this disease at the postmenopausal age.

5. Family history of gout

Sometimes, genes passed from parents or family make your kidneys unable to excrete uric acid as they should. This is what can be the cause of gout, especially if your family members, such as your parents or grandparents, have a history of the same disease.

6. Excess weight or obesity

Excess weight can be a factor in causing you to develop gout. The reason is, when someone is overweight or obese, their body produces more insulin.

Excessive levels of insulin in the body can inhibit the kidneys from getting rid of uric acid. This non-wasted uric acid will eventually build up and form crystals in your joints.

7. Lack of fluids or dehydration

Lack of fluids or dehydration is one of the factors that cause uric acid levels to soar easily. The reason is, adequate water intake can help increase the removal of excess uric acid. Conversely, lack of fluids can reduce uric acid excretion through urine.

Therefore, dehydration can also be one of the causes of uric acid recurrence for those of you who already have a history of this disease.

8. Have had an injury or just had surgery

Injury to a joint or having recently had surgery can increase a person's risk of developing gout. However, this is generally associated with the cause of gout attacks, especially if uric acid crystals have previously formed in your joints.

9. Rarely exercise

Rarely exercising is one of the factors that cause gout to appear. The reason is that rarely exercise can increase your risk of being overweight, or even obese. As for this, it can trigger gout.

On the other hand, exercise can prevent weight gain and make the heart pump blood flow smoothly to filter uric acid. Diligent exercise can also train the joints of the body so they are not stiff and sore. This of course can prevent uric acid recurrence and reduce the risk of complications of gout in the future.