Gout occurs when the body can't effectively process the amount of urate (uric acid) in the blood. Certain foods are high in purines and consumption of these lead to high levels of urate. These foods include:
Some people have a genetic predisposition with regard to developing gout. 20% of people with gout have a close family member who also has the condition.
Being overweight or having a higher than average alcohol intake (especailly beer) can also increase the urate level in the blood.
Gender is a significant factor, women hardly ever get gout because they have a naturally lower concentration of urate in the bloodstream.
Certain health conditions increase the risk of developing gout:
The use of diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and low-dose aspirin can increase levels of urate in the blood.
Chemotherapy and drugs that suppress the immune system may also increase urate levels.
We still don't understand why some people with high levels of uric acid never suffer from gout and some people with gout have normal levels of uric acid.
The joints in the hands and feet are attacked possibly because the temperature in these extemeties is reduced and the urate is able to separate out from the plasma thus allowing it to build up and form the urate crystals that cause the pain in gout.
