uric acid - #7101

A few months ago, I started getting this weird pain in my big toe. At first, I thought I had just stubbed it or something, but then it started happening more often, especially at night. The pain would come suddenly, and my toe would swell up and turn red. I went to the doctor, and after some blood tests, they told me my uric acid levels were high. I had no idea what that even meant, but they said it could be a sign of gout. I always thought gout was something that only older people got, but I’m in my 30s. How does high uric acid cause gout, and why does it mostly affect the toes? Can it also affect other joints, or is the toe the main problem area? My doctor gave me some medication to lower my uric acid, but I really want to understand what’s causing it in the first place. I’ve heard that certain foods make uric acid levels worse—like red meat, seafood, and alcohol. But I don’t drink that much, and I don’t eat a lot of meat either, so why are my uric acid levels still high? Could there be another reason, like genetics or kidney problems? I also read that dehydration can make uric acid build up in the body. Does that mean drinking more water will help prevent gout attacks? And how much water is enough? I don’t want to be drinking gallons a day if it’s not actually going to make a difference. Another thing I want to know is whether exercise affects uric acid. I try to stay active, but sometimes after a workout, my joints feel stiff and painful. Can working out too much trigger a gout attack, or does exercise actually help lower uric acid? Lastly, is high uric acid always a sign of gout, or can it cause other health problems too? My doctor didn’t seem too worried, but I’ve read that it can be linked to kidney stones and heart disease. Should I be getting more tests done, or is it just a matter of keeping my diet under control?