Climate: A Gout Cause You Never Suspected

You may have heard people complain about thewhen they were in control periods. Adjustments
weather outside affecting certain conditions such aswere made when additional gout cause risk factors
arthritis, but you may never have suspected that thewere present, such as the consumption of meat,
climate in which you live could be a gout cause. Overalcohol, or diuretics.
the last few years, it is becoming commonlyThese scientists noted that humid, hot temperatures
accepted that previous hypotheses that said thebrought about a significantly increased number of
weather could not affect gout are actually quitegout attacks in the participants. However, in terms of
incorrect.barometric pressure and precipitation, no gout cause
Though studies have been performed and haveassociation was found.
come up with some results, due to the high numberIt was suggested by the researchers that in order to
of variables, the impact that climate has as a goutprevent flare-ups of their gout, it was very important
cause is by no means well understood. Therefore,that they avoid dehydration by drinking additional
the studies have looked into geographical distributionfluids during times of hot and humid weather.
with regards to the number of cases of gout as aIf you believe that you are experiencing gout, or you
weak guide regarding the weather that is most likelywish to discuss different risk factors or gout cause in
to bring about the disease.your life, make sure to make an appointment with
Results showed that flare-ups of gout were mostyour doctor. He or she will be able to help you with
common during hot and humid weather. This beingadditional preventative measures beyond simple
said, these same scientists reported that drinking ahydration. You will be able to learn overall
lot of water was a notable preventative for goutpreventative actions and may be prescribed
attacks during these hot, humid periods.medications to help you to stop gout attacks from
The research was performed in 2006 by Bostonoccurring, and to ease them when they do indeed
researchers (and presented at the 2006 Americanhappen.
College of Rheumatology's annual scientific meeting)If you live in a climate that is hot and humid, you
who studied 197 participants who had gout, andshould recognize that this is an important gout cause
examined the influence of temperature and humidityand you may wish to try to live and work in climate
on the frequency of the condition. When thecontrolled environments. A dehumidifier may be
participants experienced a gout attack, theyhelpful at a bare minimum, but an air conditioned
completed a two-day control questionnaire.environment will make all the difference for keeping
Further data was obtained through the collection ofthe temperature gout-friendly and minimizing the
the ZIP code of the participants and the federaladditional humidity in the air. No matter if you're in air
climate data from those regions so that they wouldconditioning or not, though, proper hydration remains
know when the participants were in risk periods, andkey.