Gout Arthritis : A Metabolic Disorder

Gout is a metabolic disorder in which uric acid gets deposited in the articular cartilage of joints,tendons and surrounding tissues causing inflammation and pain.It is also the result of acidity in the bloodstream.

Primary Gout

This is caused primarily to intake of a protein rich diet. A heredity factor predisposes the precipitation of gout. People who are obese, at a high risk of diabetes, heart diseases and those who have a high intake of alcohol are more likely to get gout. Malt liquor consumption or people who have insufficent quantity and quality of food also are more likely to develop gout. It could be a consequence of renal failure. Patients on diuretics are more prone to acute attacks of gout.

Secondary Gout

Certain diseases result in gout like

• obesity
• hypertension
• renal failures
• leukemias
• polycyathemias

How does hyperuricemia lead to gout?

In gout there is an inherited abnormality of the body to process uric acid .The foods that we eat contain purines which breakdown to form uric acid.Ideally uric acid is metabolised and excreted in the urine.Atleast two third of the uric acid is excreted in the urine via the the kidneys.