MedicineNet.com
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Gout and Hyperuricemia

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Gout & Aspirin

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Learn about how aspirin affects gout Many patients will read that aspirin increases the level of uric acid in the blood and that the blood level of uric acid is important in Gout. What is the relationship between the two factors? Additionally, many patients are prescribed a low dose of aspirin (75-81 mg daily) to prevent heart attacks or strokes. What should patients be told about aspirin and Gout? Will it cause Gout in them?

These questions bring up a number of important issues about Gout.

First, Gout is medical condition that is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and decreased kidney function and kidney stones. While Gout is often associated with an abnormally elevated blood uric acid level, it need not be. This means that the medical condition of Gout can exist in an individual regardless of an elevated uric acid level in that person. This even holds true for an acute attack of gouty arthritis! Moreover, many patients with elevated blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) never develop gout.

It is, therefore, important to understand that it may not necessarily be the level of uric acid that triggers an acute attack of gout. Frequently, acute attacks are precipitated by a rapid change of uric acid, either up or down. Additionally, the tendency towards developing gout seems to be significantly influenced by the metabolism a person inherits.


What is gout? What is hyperuricemia?

Gout is a disease that results from an overload of uric acid in the body. This overload of uric acid leads to the formation of tiny crystals of urate that deposit in tissues of the body, especially the joints. When crystals form in the joints it causes recurring attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis). Chronic gout can also lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints and may cause joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones.

Gout has the unique distinction of being one of the most frequently recorded medical illnesses throughout history. It is often related to an inherited abnormality in the body's ability to process uric acid. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods we eat. An abnormality in handling uric acid can cause attacks of painful arthritis (gout attack), kidney stones, and blockage of the kidney-filtering tubules with uric acid crystals, leading to kidney failure. On the other hand, some people may only develop elevated blood uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) without having arthritis or kidney problems. The term gout refers the disease that is caused by an overload of uric acid in the body, resulting in painful arthritic attacks and deposits of lumps of uric acid crystals in body tissues.

Gouty arthritis is typically an extremely painful attack with a rapid onset of joint inflammation. The joint inflammation is precipitated by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joint fluid (synovial fluid) and joint lining (synovial lining). Intense joint inflammation occurs as white blood cells engulf the uric acid crystals and chemical messengers of inflammation are released, causing pain, heat, and redness of the joint tissues.

Who is affected by gout?

Approximately 5 million people in the United States suffer from gout. (Did you know that none other than Benjamin Franklin had terrible gouty arthritis!) Gout is nine times more common in men than in women. It predominantly attacks males after puberty, with a peak age of 75. In women, gout attacks usually occur after menopause.

While an elevated blood level of uric acid may indicate an increased risk of gout, the relationship between hyperuricemia and gout is unclear. Many patients with hyperuricemia do not develop gout, while some patients with repeated gout attacks have normal or low blood uric acid levels. In fact, the blood level of uric acid often lowers during an acute attack of gout. Among the male population in the United States, approximately 10% have hyperuricemia. However, only a small portion of those with hyperuricemia will actually develop gout.



Next: What are the risk factors for gouty arthritis? »

Gout - Symptoms Experienced

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

For gout, what were the symptoms and signs you experienced?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 22 Viewer Comments

View Comments


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • acetaminophen, Tylenol and Others - Describes the medication acetaminophen (Tylenol) a drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
  • Cortisone Injection - Read about cortisone injection treatment for inflammation, allergic reaction, sciatica and arthritis. Learn about side effects and complications of a cortisone shot.
  • High Blood Pressure - Learn about high blood pressure symptoms like headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, blurred vision and more. Causes, and normal blood pressure information is included.

Latest Medical News


Women's Health

Find out what women really need.




Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Symptoms & Signs by Female Body Region Symptoms & Signs by Male Body Region

Topics Related to Gout















Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.