1. The body naturally increases the amount of uric acid it produces.
2. The kidneys, for some reason, do not do their job of purifying the blood and does not exit enough of the uric acid from the body.
3. A person eats a diet that consists of foods that have high levels of purines.

When the uric levels in the blood are very high it is then called hyperuricemia as most people that have hyperuricemia do not go onto develop gout. Gout can develop though if there are large amounts of uric acid crystals form in the body.
There are some reasons you can be more likely to get gout.

1. If you have a family history of gout you are more likely to be afflicted with the disease.
2. Men are more at risk to get gout than women.
3. If you drink a lot of alcohol or have a drinking problem in which you drink a large amount on a regular basis than you are more likely to get gout.
4. People who have a weight problem also are more likely to become afflicted with gout. The more obese a person is the higher the chances that they will get gout.
5. Considering that foods high in purines can cause gout it goes without saying that by consuming large amounts of foods high in purines will increase a persons chance of developing gout.
6. If you have had an organ transplant than you are more likely to have gout than those who have not had any organ transplants.
7. Being exposed to lead in any way will increase a person’s chance of getting gout. By knowing the chemicals with lead in them you can decrease your chances of becoming afflicted with gout.
8. If you have an enzyme defect within your body that does not naturally break down purines than you are more likely to get gout. By not breaking down the purines the uric acid crystals can start to form throughout the body.
9. There are some medicines that if taken can increase your change of getting gout such as diuretics, cyclosporine, levodopa, and even aspirin.
10. By taking the vitamin of niacin you increase your chances of developing gout.

Discover more information about Gout And Relieving Gout Symptoms Here…

The treatment of gout, in times past, included very strict dietary regiments but because of medications that are used to combat gout the regiments are not as harsh as they once were.

There still are some recommended dietary modifications though as they can greatly help your chances of avoiding gout flare-ups. Many medications for gout cause many, potentially serious, side effects so dietary modifications can be a better option than the medications.

Some of the foods that are high in purines and should be avoided are liver, brain, kidney, sweetbread, anchovies, peas, beans, mackerel, mincemeat, scallops, muscles, and herring. Other foods such as poultry, meat, and fish have lesser amounts of purines so it is suggested that they be eaten in moderation.

Other ways that you can lower the risk of gout naturally are:

1. Avoiding alcohol altogether or only drinking it in moderation, perhaps saving yourself for special occasions only. Drinking a lot of alcohol increases the risk of hyperuricemia, as the alcohol gets in the way of the natural removal of uric acids from the body. If you have gout and especially if you are having a gout attack alcohol should be avoided completely.
2. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to flush the system of uric acids. Aim for around 2 liters of water a day, more if you are exercising or have a physical job.
3. Try to maintain a healthy weight. The more excess weight you are holding the more stress is then put on your joints increasing the possibility of gout.
4. Try to lose excess weight but do not do so by rapid weight loss diets as they can increase uric acid levels in the blood. In weight loss also avoid low-carb diets as they are high in fat and protein. Consuming too much of these types of foods can increase your chances of developing hyperuricemia.

Foods that are low in purines will help in keeping gout at bay. Below is a list of foods which are low in purines.

1. Breakfast – Cereals and breads, coffee, tea, oatmeal, eggs, fruits, juices, cheese (low fat), milk, and peanut butter.
2. Lunch – Nuts and peanut butter, pasta macaroni, soups, cream style soups, cheeses (low fat) and  broths
3. Dinner – Pasta, macaroni, eggs, vegetables, breads and cereals, low-fat cheeses and soups.

Other foods and food items low in purines are gelatin, fats and oils (in small amounts), soda, sugar, syrups, and other sweets in moderation.

As with anything, moderation is the key to a low purine diet. Some foods which have a moderate purine level are: beef, lamb, pork, vegetables such as mushrooms, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, wheat germ, all types of yeast and gravies.
It is ok to have these foods as long is it is in moderation. Even foods that are high in purines can be eaten occasionally unless you have gout or are having an attack of gout.

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The pain of gout can be such that you will probably not be able to walk or sleep (let alone sleepwalk), as you will not be able to put your foot on the floor, or bear the bedcovers touching your feet. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to get comfortable in bed due to the pain. You can try running your foot under the cold tap or bathing your foot in cold water, this may help but in the long run, you will need an axe or medication to get rid of the pain of gout.

Preferably medication for the long term. Gout is caused by Uric Acid in the system which creates a crystalisation of the blood around major joints, causing immense pain. The likelihood is that you will not be able to get you shoes on, you probably will, but it will take some time, and will be just as hard to remove them. I have never given birth, and am led to believe that it is very painful, but bet your life, gout comes close, alltho women will beg to differ.

Uric acid is created by certain foods and drinks you may consume. Guess what?, Alcohol is right up there at the top of the list, mainly Red Wine, but any alcohol can cause the symptoms of gout to occur.

Offal ie: Tripe is also known to accelerate the process. It is wise once the gout has cleared up, to keep a diary of what you eat, so that when gout attacks, you may have some idea as to what it was that triggered it off.

I personally narrowed it down to mature cheese, and have not suffered from gout for more than twelve months, fingers crossed

This article was written by Dave Carr, a fellow gout sufferer, I hope that this helps you.

More extensive information is available at http://www.ongout.com