what causes gout in feet

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling in the joints, usually in the big toe, but it can also affect other joints in the body. Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood, which can form tiny sharp crystals in and around the joints. If you produce too much uric acid or your kidneys dont filter enough out, it can build up and cause these crystals to form. Urate crystals can form when you have high levels of uric acid in your blood. Your body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found naturally in your body and certain foods, including red meat and organ meats, such as liver. When this happens, uric acid can build up, forming sharp, needle-like urate crystals in a joint or surrounding tissue that cause pain, inflammation, and swelling. Factors that increase the uric acid level in your body include diet, obesity, certain health conditions, and genetics. Gout can be extremely painful and debilitating, but treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms and prevent further attacks.