Gout what is the cause

Gout is caused by a condition known as hyperuricemia, where there is too much uric acid in the body. The body makes uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in your body and the foods you eat. When there is too much uric acid in the body, uric acid crystals monosodium urate can build up in joints, fluids, and tissues within the body.

Hyperuricemia does not always cause gout, and hyperuricemia without gout symptoms does not need to be treated. A medical doctor diagnoses gout by assessing your symptoms and the results of your physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests.

Gout can only be diagnosed during a flare when a joint is hot, swollen, and painful and when a lab test finds uric acid crystals in the affected joint. The disease should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of gout patients. This is important because the signs and symptoms of gout are not specific and can look like signs and symptoms of other inflammatory diseases. Doctors who specialize in gout and other forms of arthritis are called rheumatologists.

To find a provider near you, visit the database of rheumatologists external icon on the American College of Rheumatology website. Once a rheumatologist has diagnosed and effectively treated your gout, a primary care provider can usually track your condition and help you manage your gout. Gout can be effectively treated and managed with medical treatment and self-management strategies.

Your health care provider may recommend a medical treatment plan to. In addition to medical treatment, you can manage your gout with self-management strategies. This leads to:.

The following factors can make it more likely for you to develop gout:. There is no one test for gout, and its symptoms are similar to several different conditions. To see if you have gout, your health care provider may:. Treatment may be different for each person. However, the goals for treating gout are the same for each person and include:. Health care providers who may provide treatment for gout include:.

Always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. Basics In-Depth. What is it? Points To Remember About Gout Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints, usually as flares that last for a week or two, and then go away.

Your doctor may recommend taking medications to manage the cause of your gout and treat active gout flares, and making changes to your diet and lifestyle. What is gout? Who gets it? Who gets gout? Many people develop gout: It is more common in men than in women.

Gout usually develops in middle age; women usually do not develop gout before menopause. Rarely, younger people develop the disease; however, if they do, the disease tends to be worse. What are the symptoms? What are the symptoms of gout? They can be triggered by: Certain foods. Certain medications. Physical trauma.

Certain illnesses. What causes it? What causes gout? This leads to: Pain. Redness Changes in how you move and use the affected joint.

The following factors can make it more likely for you to develop gout: High urate levels; however, not everyone who has high levels develops gout. A family history of gout. Gout is extremely painful and sometimes hard to control. Gout can be either acute or chronic. Kidney disease can lead to gout, and gout may lead to kidney disease.

If you have either condition, talk to your doctor about preventing the other. Telehealth lets you see your doctor from home — or wherever you are. Download this telehealth guide for tips on how to prepare for virtual visits. Gout is caused by having too much uric acid in your blood.

Uric acid is made when your body breaks down chemicals called purines. Learn more about the causes of gout. Anyone can get gout, but it is more common in men than in women. Gout is more common in adults than in children. Learn more about the risks for gout. Although many people have their first gout attack in one of their big toes, gout attacks can also happen in other joints. Learn more about symptoms of gout. Gout attacks, also called flares, or flare-ups, can come on suddenly and be extremely painful.

Learn how to manage your gout attacks.