Hyperuricaemia and Gout
Sone people may have high levels of uric acid in the blood (this is called hyperuricaemia), but have no arthritis pain. This sonetimes happens to close relatives of gout sufferers. Many people with high levels of uric acid do not develop gout, while sonetimes people with repeated gout attacks have normal or low levels of uric acid.
Obesity can be linked to high uric acid levels in the blood. People
who are overweight should consult with their doctor to decide on a
reasonable weight-loss program. Fasting or severe dieting can actually
raise uric acid levels and cause gout to worsen.
Usually people can eat what they like within limits. People who have
kidney stones due to uric acid may need to actually eliminate purine-rich
foods from their diet because those foods can raise their uric acid
level.
Consuming coffee and tea is not a problem but alcohol can raise uric
acid levels and provoke an episode of gout. Drinking at least 10-12
eight-ounce glasses of non-alcoholic fluids every day is recommended,
especially for people with kidney stones, to help flush the uric acid
crystals from the body.