What Are the Causes of Chronic Gout?

Gout, or hyperuricemia, is a disorder caused by an imbalance of uric acid levels in the blood. Genetics, diet, medicines and lifestyle are all factors for developing symptoms.

Diet

• Obesity, diets rich in red meat and fish containing purine, and low calorie diets can trigger gout.

Alcohol

• Alcohol causes abrupt changes in uric acid levels, and gout can worsen with prolonged use.

Genetics

• 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

• Diuretics, chemotherapy and immune system suppressing drugs can increase the risk, as can prolonged use of medications containing aspirin or niacin.

Syndromes and Conditions

• 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

• 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.