Risk Factors for Developing Gout
What are the Risk Factors for Developing Gout?
Gout may be a inborn disease due to genetic defects or be caused by secondary conditions. There are certain risks that can put an individual at a higher than normal chance to develop the disease.
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan
Risk factors for developing gout includes:
A. Unhealthy lifestyles, such as:
- Obesity / Being overweight
- Too much alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise
B. Family history of Gout
- Gene defect that causes poor uric acid excretion
C. Renal defect / disease leading to poor uric acid excretion
D. Hematopoietic or Hemolytic disorder in which there is massive destruction of cells leading to high uric acid production such as Leukemia, Myeloma and Polycythemia vera
E. Treatments inducing massive cell destruction such as Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy
F. A diet high in purines (a kind of protein)
G. Excessive protein in the diet
H. Long term usage of certain medicine, such as aspirin, diutetics, levodopa
I. The use of niacin / nicotinic acid
J. History of joint injury
K. Men on their 40's and 50's
L. Menopause women
M. Lead exposure
What triggers an Acute Gout Attack?
A sudden Gout may be triggered by situations that dramatically increase uric acid levels, such as:
- Heavy alcohol drinking / Alcohol intoxication
- Beinge eating / Over eating
- Consumption of purine rich foods
- Starvation / fasting
- Streneous exercise due to rapid bodily tissue metabolism
- Sudden weight loss leading to higher than usual production of uric acid
- Stressful events like undergoing surgery or being afflicted by sudden illness
- Chemotherapy / Radiation therapy (because of high cell destruction with this therapy)
