What is
gout?
Gout is a painful, arthritic condition of the joints. It usually strikes the
big toes, but it can also affect the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers and
elbows.
What
are the causes of gout?
Gout has a strong genetic component. The hallmark of gout is elevated blood
levels of uric acid, a breakdown product of protein metabolism (a distinction
should be made by a physician between true gout and pseudogout, a similarly
painful, arthritic condition that occurs when calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate
crystals are deposited in a joint). Uric acid comes from the metabolism of
purines, a subclass of proteins that are abundant in human tissues and such
foods as organ meats, sardines, anchovies, mushrooms, asparagus and lentils. Also, a number of drugs and
supplements can increase uric acid levels in the blood and its tendency to form
irritating crystals in joints. These include salicylates (the active component
of aspirin), vitamin B3 (niacin), excess vitamin C and diuretics that may be prescribed
for high blood pressure, edema or, cardiovascular disease.
