Having sudden attacks of intense pain and swelling in your joints at night may mean a flare-up of gout. Although gout cannot be cured, it is a treatable condition that you can manage with medications and self care. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, the causes of gout flare-ups include certain lifestyle factors and health conditions that affect your joints.
Alcohol
Regular drinking of alcohol or a binge of two or more drinks for a man or more than one for a woman may cause gout to flare up.
Diet
A diet is high in red meats, whole fat dairy products and simple carbohydrates, may cause gout may flare up, especially if your diet is also low in fruits and vegetables.
Dehydration
Gout may flare up as a result of becoming dehydrated during intense physical activity, extreme weather conditions or simply forgetting to drink enough water.
Weight Loss
If you lose weight too quickly as a result of an illness, dieting or exercise, gout may flare up due to an increase in uric acid in your blood.
Fasting
Fasting for religious purposes, medical testing or as a form of weight loss may result in flare-ups of gout.
Medications
Gout may flare up after taking a new pain reliever or medication to control high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Artery Diseases
Gout flare-ups may be caused by diseases of your arteries such as arteriosclerosis, high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.
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