Gout Causes.
What causes Gout. Gout is typically caused due to increase of uric acid levels in blood. This is called hyperuricemia. Gout can therefore be due to increase in uric acid production or due to inadequate excretion of it or both. Inadequate excretion of uric acid is the main cause in 90% of gout cases.
However, not every person who has hyperuricemia develops gout. Only 10% of hyperuricemia cases develop gout. Due to high levels of uric acid in the blood, gout results from deposits of needle like crystals of uric acid (sodium urate) in the connective tissue and the joint spaces.
Picture of uric acid crystals causing gout. (Click on picture to enlarge).
Normally uric acid is soluble in blood and excess of it is excreted in the urine through the kidneys. But in certain conditions, the body either produces excess of uric acid or the kidneys do not filter off the excess uric acid into the urine. This results in excess build up of uric acid in the blood, which can cause gout.
Causes of Gout.
1) Genetic cause of gout.
In certain families, there is a genetic tendency for high levels of uric acid in the blood. Studies conducted by the John Hopkins scientist have shown that a particular gene is responsible for manufacturing of a particular protein which is responsible for excretion of uric acid derivative, sodium urate, through the urine by the kidneys. A genetic predisposition leading to a lack of efficiency of this protein leads to uric acid build up in the blood, which can lead to gout.
2) Purine rich animal foods cause gout.
Purines are natural substances which are present in our body cells. When the cells die, the purines are converted into uric acid. This is a normal and healthy process. Purine is found rich in a few foods of plant and animal origin. But the purines from both these sources have a different impact. Purine found in plant foods and dairy products do not cause increase in risk of gout. It is the purines from meat and fish that increase your risk of gout.
Image showing causes and risk factors of gout.
3) High Alcohol intake causes gout.
Alcoholic drinks, particularly beer increase your risk of gout because they are high in prurine content. Accumulation of prurines leads to excess of uric acid in the blood. Alcohol also interferes with the excretion of urates through the urine.
4) Abnormal kidney function causes gout.
The reason for this cause is obvious in that, a renal disease results in improper functioning of the kidneys which again results in improper filtration and excretion of urates. This leads to uric acid build up in the blood which can cause gout.
5) Obesity causes gout.
According to recent research obesity is a primary cause of gout. About half the people who suffer from gout are overweight. Obesity puts a very high strain on the kidneys, which, as a result do not function to optimal levels. Excretion of uric acid is hampered and this leads to uric acid build up in the blood, leading to gout.
6) Certain Medical Conditions cause gout.
Certain medical conditions are often associated with gout. They are:
- High blood pressure,
- Abnormal lipid levels ( high levels of cholesterol and fats),
- Diabetes,
- Metabolic syndrome,
- Dehydration,
- High fever,
- Injury to the joint,
- Certain diseases which cause excessive production of uric acid such as leukemia, lymphoma and hemoglobin disorders,
- Any recent surgery can trigger a gout attack possibly due to imbalance of body fluids as the patient does not take oral fluids before and after the surgery.
- Lead poisoning.
7) Certain Medications cause gout.
Certain medicines cause gout because they interfere with the excretion of uric acid. They are:
- Diuretics cause gout because they decrease the excretion of uric acid. Diuretics are mainly used in the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and some kidney diseases.
- Niacin also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid causes gout. They are used in lowering high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Aspirin.
- Ciclosporine is also associated with gout. It reduces the activity of the immune system and because of this, it is mainly used after organ transplant surgery to reduce chances of organ rejection. It is also used in auto immune disorders such as allergic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis among its other uses.
- Lead poisoning causes gout because it inhibits the excretion of urates from the body causing uric acid to build up in the blood.
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