Gout can also cause kidney stones made of uric acid. Although most people who have gout are middle-aged men, it can occur at any age. Gout usually occurs because too much uric acid is in your joints. This may happen when your kidney does not eliminate enough uric acid from your body or when your body produces too much uric acid. People who have recently had a serious illness or surgery have an increased chance of having an attack of gout.
Some people have gouty arthritis even though they have normal uric acid levels.
You may have an inherited tendency to produce too much uric acid. Overproduction of uric acid may also happen if you have a disease such as cancer and certain types of red blood cell disorders. A diet high in alcoholic drinks and purine- rich foods can also cause your body to produce too much uric acid. Most cases of gout are caused by poor elimination of uric acid by the kidneys, but it can be hard to know why it is happening. The specific problem with the kidney is usually never found.