Hello and welcome to Healthcaremagic.com. When excess uric acid accumulates within the body, crystals are deposited in the joints. Uric acid is a normal waste product that is excreted in the urine. There are certain foods that increase the likelihood of accumulating uric acid such as alcohol and shellfish. Some medications can increase uric acid levels such as a 81mg aspirin tablet, or a blood pressure medication. For a definitive diagnosis of gout, extraction of the fluid within the joint must be done to visualize the crystals. Your physician may have taken a blood sample to measure uric acid in your blood. This cannot be reliably used to make diagnosis of gout. An elevated level does not mean that gout is the cause of an a swollen, red joint. Lack of exercise is not a cause of gout. Normally individuals who are overweight, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions are at increased risk of contracting gout. Individuals with heart conditions or kidney conditions are at increased risk of contracting gout. To prevent future flareups of gout, you should reduce your intake of high-fructose drinks, shellfish, red meat, organ meats, and oily fishes. Hot packs to the swollen joint may alleviate some of the pain. Take the medication your physician has prescribed. Gouty arthritis can damage your joint leading to additional problems. I hope that I have adequately answered your questions. If you found my information helpful, please accept the answer. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Be well, Dr. Kimberly