{"id":17846,"date":"2021-01-07T10:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-07T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=17846"},"modified":"2024-03-07T16:36:35","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T21:36:35","slug":"gout-triggers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gout-triggers\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding risk factors for gout and gout flares"},"content":{"rendered":"

You wake one morning to severe throbbing pain and swelling in your big toe. The toe joint is swollen and stiff. When you went to bed, you felt fine. Now you\u2019re in agony. What\u2019s going on?<\/span><\/p>\n

You might be one of the <\/span>9.2 million<\/span><\/a> Americans with gout, a form of arthritis that can cause inflammation and severe pain in the joints. The condition is characterized by <\/span>painful flares<\/span><\/a>, often occurring at night, that can last for days to weeks, with the worst pain usually building in the first 24 hours. Other symptoms of gout include warmth and redness of the skin around the joint and difficulty using the joint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to preventing gout, recognizing risk factors, seeking treatment early, and doing your best to avoid triggers are essential first steps. According to the American College of Rheumatology treatment guidelines, <\/span>keeping uric acid levels in the blood below 6 mg\/dl<\/span><\/a> is important to prevent gout flares. Although flares are temporary, they are painful\u2014but in the long term, gout can cause other issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHyperuricemia and gout are long-term medical problems,\u201d says <\/span>Lynn Ludmer, MD<\/span><\/a>, medical director of rheumatology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. \u201cOver time, untreated gout can lead to chronic inflammation and joint damage, which may be permanent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes gout?<\/span><\/h2>\n

For centuries, doctors thought gout was predominantly caused by diet. In fact, gout was often called \u201cthe disease of kings\u201d because it was associated with a diet heavy on rich foods and meats as well as alcohol\u2014a diet only the wealthy class could afford.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scientists now know that the leading cause of gout is genetics, and having a family history of the condition is the most significant risk factor. \u201cPeople should understand that gout is genetic and not their \u2018fault\u2019 just because of their diet,\u201d says <\/span>Theodore R. Fields, MD, FACP<\/span><\/a>, a rheumatologist at New York City\u2019s Hospital for Special Surgery. \u201cDietary and lifestyle changes will definitely help, but in only a small number of gout patients are they enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

8 common risk factors for hyperuricemia and gout<\/span><\/h2>\n

While genetics are the main risk factor for hyperuricemia and gout, there are other contributors. Here are eight common risk factors for gout. Knowing these\u2014and how to address them\u2014can help you prevent and\/or manage the condition and avoid flare-ups from occurring.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Obesity\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The more you weigh, the harder your kidneys have to work to eliminate waste products like uric acid from your body. In one <\/span>study<\/span><\/a>, published in the journal <\/span>Arthritis and Rheumatology<\/span><\/i>, people who were overweight had an 85% greater risk of having hyperuricemia (a precursor to gout) versus healthy-weight people. Obese people were up to 3.5 times more likely than normal-weight individuals to have excess uric acid. The researchers also found that 44% of hyperuricemia cases were attributable to excess weight alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Certain foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

Because of their higher purine content, some foods can raise uric acid levels in the blood. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n