Gout, oh gout, unbearable pain.
Speaking of the issue of gout, it is quite tricky. Nowadays, there are quite a number of people suffering from gout in their daily lives. This is due to the elevated uric acid levels in the body, which can be extremely painful once gout is diagnosed. Especially at night during sleep, it can even wake you up in pain. Therefore, most people are quite fearful when it comes to the problem of gout affecting them.
The reason for the development of gout is also due to improper uric acid control, which is closely related to daily diet. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to active management in daily life.
The progression of gout: passing through 4 stages, requiring careful observation
Generally speaking, gout is a relatively long-term development process, and patients need to go through 4 stages, each with different symptoms. So, it is important to be particularly attentive.
1. Asymptomatic stage. The earliest symptom of gout is an increase in uric acid levels in the blood. Apart from this, it is no different from normal people. Therefore, at this stage, gout is not considered true gout in a strictly literal sense but rather referred to as “hyperuricemia.”
This stage may last for several years or even decades, or it may persist lifelong. Some patients may develop into kidney stones or arthritis problems.
2. Acute attack stage. With the progression of the disease, the increase in uric acid concentration in the blood of patients can trigger acute arthritis, leading to initial symptoms of gout. At this point, there will be joint redness, swelling, pain, and difficulty in movement, mostly affecting the joints in the feet.
3. Intermittent stage. After a period of continuous development of gout, a remission period will be experienced. During this period, symptoms significantly decrease. However, after some time, there may be a relapse, affecting joints throughout the body. The soft tissues and bone quality around the joints can be damaged, and kidney function may decline.
4. Chronic attack stage. As the disease worsens, the symptoms of gout become more severe, and a large amount of uric acid deposits gradually increase. Joints all over the body may experience swelling, pain, heat, and ulcers or deformities may appear.
Under the influence of uric acid, kidney function can also be affected, leading to a series of complications such as chronic arthritis and intermittent nephritis. When it reaches this stage, it indicates a serious development of gout, which could pose a severe risk to life and requires attention to management.
Gout requires long-term management and tends to recur easily, making it difficult to cure completely. It is important to focus on active self-regulation in daily life. According to relevant survey results, the ratio of male to female gout patients in our country is approximately 15:1.
In a recent survey, it was found that among people aged 20 to 80 years old, about 25.1% of men and 19.5% of women have high uric acid levels, which is quite surprising. Why is the likelihood of gout higher in men?
Why does gout “favor” the male population?
The higher occurrence of gout in men is closely related to the primary sex hormone – testosterone.
Testosterone in the male body can make cell membranes more susceptible to urate crystal formation. Furthermore, uric acid excretion in the body can be obstructed, leading to the formation of urate crystals and the onset of gout problems.
Compared to men, women have relatively lower levels of testosterone in their bodies, coupled with adequate estrogen levels. This promotes uric acid metabolism in the kidneys, prevents sustained uric acid elevation, and crystal formation, resulting in a much lower incidence of gout in women.
Apart from these reasons, the higher likelihood of gout in men is also related to their irregular diet and lifestyle habits. Men often consume a lot of meat and seafood, leading to excessive intake of purine substances that can affect uric acid levels.
In addition, habits like smoking, drinking, and staying up late in men’s lifestyles can also impact uric acid metabolism, increasing the incidence of gout. Therefore, it is important to focus on active improvement in daily life.
Once afflicted with gout, it is truly unbearable. It is important to focus on dietary adjustments in life. Many claim that individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid eating meat, as it can worsen the condition. Is that really the case?
Diagnosed with high uric acid, should you avoid meat?
For individuals with high uric acid levels, excessive intake of purine substances can disrupt uric acid metabolism in the body, potentially leading to gout problems. Eating meat indiscriminately should be avoided, but it doesn’t mean avoiding meat altogether, as this could result in nutritional deficiencies.
When consuming meat, it is essential to choose the right types of meat, preferably opting for lean meats over fatty meats. Also, paying attention to the quantity of meat intake and avoiding fried or grilled foods can help control uric acid levels to some extent.
Actually, for individuals with high uric acid levels, the following types of meats may be beneficial to consume regularly, aiding in maintaining stable uric acid levels.
To be honest: These 3 “meats” can be consumed regularly to prevent gout
– Pig skin
Individuals with high uric acid levels can consume pig skin in moderation, as it is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A and E, which can help whiten the skin and provide collagen, enhancing skin elasticity. Eating pig skin in moderation can also help control the intake of purine substances, especially since the purine content in pig skin is relatively low. Additionally, it is rich in various nutrients, which can boost immune function, aiding in the prevention of gout.
– Sea cucumber
People with high uric acid levels can also try sea cucumber, which has nourishing effects. Sea cucumber contains 8 essential amino acids, promoting health and relieving brain fatigue. A relatively low purine content in sea cucumbers can effectively control uric acid levels, contributing to overall health and fitness.
– Mandarin fish
Although mandarin fish is a type of fish, it is rich in high-quality protein that can enhance immunity. The purine content in mandarin fish is relatively low, making it beneficial for preventing gout problems.
Do you have anything else you would like to add? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
