Gout was once considered a disease of aristocrats who liked to eat and drink a lot. Today, it can be faced by a person of any social status — and not only because of improper diet.
Dr. Dimitri
The cause
Gout is a condition caused by excessive accumulation of uric acid salts in the body. One of the manifestations of this is arthritis, which is inflammation of the joints.
Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines, which are substances that enter the blood during the metabolism of protein inside the body and food. These are found in beef, seafood, and alcohol. Excess purines provoke a large production of uric acid, as the kidneys do not have time to remove it or cope with it. Uric acid is formed into crystals that accumulate in one or more joints and destroy them. Most often the big toe is affected, and less often the ankle, knee, elbow, and wrist.
Crystals of uric acid can be deposited in the heart and blood vessels, ...
Premium Content
This article contains exclusive premium content. Get full access to expert health insights, personalized recommendations, and much more with Ornament Health.
Full Articles
Access all expert articles
Health Tracking
Track your health metrics
Test Results
Store and analyze test results
Start your health journey today