It is so called common knowledge that arthritis will affect most of us when we get older, especially if we happen to be women. But one form of arthritis, gout, is predominantly found in Men. So what is gout and what causes it??

Gout is described as an inflammatory form of arthritis. It can cause feelings of sharp sudden pain in some joints, accompanied by redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Think of the swollen big toe and you know what I’m talking about.

Gout is thought to be caused by an over production of uric acid in the body. Most researchers agree that genetics play a role in the development of gout. Many people are prone to developing too much uric acid, while others appear to inherit the tendency to under process uric acid in the body, causing it to be lost in urine. Other people inherit high blood levels of uric acid. This high level of uric acid appears to cause sodium monourate crystals to collect in the synovial joint fluid. This in turn causes painful stiff joints, resulting in gout. If someone in your family once suffered from gout, you are at a greater risk for developing the condition. Another possible cause of gout is that it may develop as a result of other conditions. While genetics play a strong role, lifestyle choices are also a big piece of the puzzle. Dietary choices have been linked to the onset of gout. Trigger foods include seafood (especially anchovies), meat proteins, beans, gravies, and sweet breads. What do all these foods have in common? They are all rich in purines, and eating too much of them has been shown to cause gout. Other things that may affect the onset of gout include crash diets. Eating recklessly, which may include eating too much or too little, may be a major contributing factor to gout.

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What Causes Gout Form of Arthritis?