What Causes Gout?

What causes joints to swell up, stiffen your movements, and shoot pain through your limbs? In other words, what causes gout?

Gout is generally caused by a high level of uric acid in your blood — a condition known as hyperuricemia. But not everyone with hyperuricemia will develop gout and not all gouts root from hyperuricemia. Find out if you are at a risk of developing gout by reading our Gout: Who's at Risk article.