Gout causes sudden and intense pain in your joints. Your big toe is the most common location for pain, but other joints in your feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists and elbows are often affected.

Gout causes redness, swelling and heat around the affected area. Typically, a gout attack lasts from 1 to 2 weeks.

Drinking alcohol and eating foods high in sugar or saturated fat is a common cause.

Gout is common in families. You’re more likely to develop the condition if you’re a man and if you’re overweight. Women are at higher risk after they’ve gone through menopause.

Another cause is candida – overgrowth of this fungus (which occurs naturally in our bodies) creates excessive uric acid.

Another risk factor is metabolic syndrome – a collection of symptoms including high blood sugar, blood pressure and triglycerides; low levels of good cholesterol and a fatty liver.

Diuretics and medicine for high blood pressure can also increase your risk.

Our naturopaths can test for causes of gout, including candida and metabolic syndrome.

If you have gout in your family, you may want to test for risk factors like candida and metabolic syndrome now, so that you can adapt your lifestyle and reduce your risk of developing the condition.