There are a few factors into what causes gout, some people say it is genetic, others say it could be due to being overweight and lack of exercise, generally it can be your lifestyle e.
g.
wrong foods, too much alcohol.
You will find gout mainly in men aged 40+ and even though it has been known that women can get it too, it stills seems to be mainly a male disease.
Gout is a form of arthritis, that results in an accumulation of excess uric acid in and around the joints e.
g.
big toe.
Gout sufferers get excruciating pain from acute attacks of gout which results in the joint swelling up, feeling very hot and red.
Gout can be genetic, but there are solutions for you to take in order to minimise the frequency of attacks you get, for instant taking physical exercise and reducing your alcohol intake, especially cutting out beer and by eating a good healthy well balanced diet you could actually eliminate gout from your life for good.
Food rich in protein and purine produce uric acid which is a normal by product of protein metabolism which changes the liquid in your body into tiny crystals which settle in and around the joints.
When you get gout attacks it feels like small sharp pieces of glass stabbing at your joints, it is very painful and your joints swell up something terrible and get very red and hot it get's so bad, depending what joint it is, let say it is your big toe, you won't even be able to put your shoes on.