What Are the Causes of Chronic Gout?
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Diet
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Obesity, diets rich in red meat and fish containing purine, and low calorie diets can trigger gout.
Alcohol
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Alcohol causes abrupt changes in uric acid levels, and gout can worsen with prolonged use.
Genetics
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African-Americans, but not Africans, along with British people and people with a family history of gout are more likely to develop it, says emedicine.com.
Medicines
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Diuretics, chemotherapy and immune system suppressing drugs can increase the risk, as can prolonged use of medications containing aspirin or niacin.
Syndromes and Conditions
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Gout can develop with chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, lead poisoning, hypothyroidism, and diseases causing a rapid turnover of cells. Although rare, Seegmiller syndrome or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome cause uric acid imbalances.
Puberty and Menopause
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Men develop gout at an earlier age as uric acid levels increase after puberty. Uric acid levels do not increase in women until after menopause.
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