Two diseases that put you at high risk of gout

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Gout is a type of arthritis that which causes sudden severe joint pain. This disease is caused by small uric acid crystals that form in and around the joints.

Joint pain can be caused by a number of factors, including diet and lifestyle choices. However, people who are diagnosed with high blood pressure may be more prone to gout.

High blood pressure, as well as some medications used to treat the condition, can increase the risk of gout.

The Mayo Clinic states:

“Diuretics may increase the risk of developing gout, a type of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in a joint. This may be because diuretics increase urination, which reduces the amount of fluid in your body.”

The fluid that remains in the body may be more concentrated, which can increase the risk of gout-causing crystals.

The Mayo Clinic adds:

“Some types of diuretics also reduce the kidney's excretion of urate, a component of uric acid.”

High blood pressure and diet are also common causes. are interconnected, while some products are more likely to cause an increase in blood pressure. Being overweight can increase the risk of both gout and high blood pressure.

On the other hand, losing weight reduces the risk of both conditions. Changing your lifestyle may mean you can stop or reduce future attacks. People are advised to “gain a healthy weight but avoid crash diets” and “follow a healthy balanced diet”.