- High levels of uric acid in the blood cause gout. Uric acid is a waste created from the breakdown of purines, chemical compounds that provide part of the structure of our genes. Purines occur naturally in the human body and also in high levels in all meats, fish and poultry. If the body produces too much or gets rid of too little uric acid, it builds up and forms needle-like uric acid crystals (urate crystals) in a joint or the surrounding tissue, causing gout.
- Three different tests can provide a diagnosis of gout: a urine sample to see how much uric acid your body is excreting; a blood sample to test the level of uric acid; or a fluid sample from the affected joint to see if the white blood cells contain uric acid crystals.
- Treatment of gout may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve symptoms, steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as prednisone) to reduce inflammation or cortisone injected into the affected joint. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that alternative therapies such as herbs and homeopathy may also help.
- Recommendations to reduce the risk of gout include maintaining a healthy weight (which may decrease uric acid levels), avoiding too much animal protein, limiting alcohol and drinking plenty of fluids to help dilute uric acid in the blood and urine.
- According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with a history of gout have a higher risk of developing kidney stones, high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, high triglyceride levels and atherosclerosis.