Gout: "Old" disease still causing pain, from the Harvard Health Letter
Gout is a form of arthritis. It is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid crystallizes in the joints, it causes inflammation and pain. Gout is becoming more common partly because of the obesity epidemic. Dietary choices also raise the risk of gout. Consuming a lot of meat, seafood, sugar, and alcohol—especially beer—can trigger attacks of gout. Soda drinkers are also at risk, since there is evidence that fructose, the main sweetener in many sugared beverages, increases uric acid levels in the blood. High blood pressure is another major risk factor, though this gets complicated because diuretics taken to lower blood pressure can also increase uric acid levels.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
