Gout has always been associated with labels like “rich people’s disease” and “disease of the elderly” in our impression, but according to the latest data statistics, the main group of people currently suffering from gout in our country is actually the young adults aged between 18 and 35. This is closely related to the increasingly fast work pace nowadays, as busy work schedules make it difficult for them to pay attention to their health.
Most young adults are troubled by heavy workloads, unable to control either their diet or exercise well, leading to the development of many metabolic diseases, such as high uric acid. Hyperuricemia is the basis of gout, caused by an imbalance in the body’s uric acid metabolism. As the uric acid concentration in the body increases, the likelihood of a gout attack also increases.
Real case example:
Xiao Wu works at a financial company, having just graduated and joined the company for about half a year. Instead of returning home after graduation, he chose to stay in the city where he studied, as this city offers more job opportunities compared to his hometown. He works hard every day, striving for better development and stability.
When Xiao Wu is working, standing up to stretch every few hours is his daily exercise routine. He often orders takeout for lunch to save time and focus on work. He can feel significant discomfort in his body, especially in the upper body and near his shoulders, due to prolonged sitting.
Lately, Xiao Wu has been feeling a tingling sensation in his feet, especially when walking, making him very uncomfortable. Within a few days, his feet became swollen and wearing socks caused him pain. After visiting the hospital for a check-up, the doctor carefully examined him and informed him that he was experiencing a gout attack, and the level of uric acid in his body was already high, requiring immediate uric acid control.
The doctor told Xiao Wu: these 3 behaviors are the main culprits behind his gout:
1. Not paying attention to exercise regularly
Xiao Wu has little physical activity in his routine, with walking to and from work being his main exercise, and a brief stretch during the day when feeling tired. This sedentary lifestyle can weaken his body functions, reduce immunity, and diminish metabolic capacity, leading to an increase in uric acid levels over time, triggering gout attacks.
2. Staying up late frequently
To meet work deadlines, Xiao Wu often works late into the evening, returning to his dormitory and not getting to bed until 11 or 12 at night, as he spends time scrolling on his phone. Staying up late regularly can affect the body’s detoxification process, interfering with uric acid excretion and causing internal uric acid levels to rise.
3. Avoid eating too much before bedtime
Due to frequent overtime work, Xiao Wu often arrives at his dormitory late at night, leading him to eat a lot to feel full. Consuming too much food before bed can generate a large amount of uric acid in the body that cannot be eliminated, resulting in uric acid accumulation and continuous increase in uric acid levels above the normal range.
If the body is about to develop gout, it may show these “signs”:
1. Slow joint movements;
2. Involuntary hand tremors;
3. Frequent back pain;
4. Strong odor in the mouth;
5. Easy sweating with body odor;
6. Vertical lines on fingernails that are prone to breakage;
7. Noticeable increase in urination frequency;
8. Insomnia occurring frequently at night.
