Gout, a painful form of arthritis, is on the rise. Avoiding red meat and alcohol can help. [View all]

Gout sounds like a disease that shouldn’t exist anymore, especially since it’s referred to as the “disease of kings” because of its connection to royal leaders like Henry VIII, who lived with the condition due to overindulging in food and alcohol. However, this ancient condition is on the rise across the globe.

A recent study found a rise in the incidence (the number of new cases) and prevalence (the number of existing cases) of gout from 1990 to 2019. Increases in gout were most significant in the U.S., Canada and Australia for both men and women. Researchers noted that reasons for the increase include obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension and renal diseases.

“Gout is a common type of arthritis that can be extremely painful,” Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians, tells Yahoo Life. “Symptoms include swelling and pain in joints like your feet, ankles, wrists, and elbows.”

What causes gout?

The condition is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. Uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines, a chemical compound that cells use to form DNA and RNA. Meat and meat products contain purines.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/gout-a-painful-form-of-arthritis-is-on-the-rise-avoiding-red-meat-and-alcohol-can-help-191134483.html