As a chronic disease that seriously affects physical health, hyperuricemia can cause endocrine disorders, physical disabilities, even kidney failure, and is increasingly showing a trend towards a younger population.
According to the latest statistics, there are approximately 200 million gout patients in China, with about 1 in 8 individuals suffering from gout, which is closely related to the long-term consumption of high-purine foods.
38-year-old Li Jun (pseudonym), a business manager in a company, is extremely busy with work to buy a house in a big city. He often works late and drinks alcohol for business entertainment.
However, in the past three months, Li Jun has noticed frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. Thinking it was due to overwork, he bought some medication from the pharmacy and didn’t pay much attention to it.
Unexpectedly, a week later, Li Jun experienced pain in his left foot, especially unbearable at night, which frightened his wife and prompted him to go to the hospital for a check-up.
Through examinations, it was discovered that Li Jun’s uric acid level was as high as 640umol/L, with clear signs of kidney fibrosis, diagnosing him with gouty arthritis.
Perplexed, Li Jun wondered how he could have gout just from common urinary issues. After learning more, the doctor informed Mr. Li that his two usual habits could have triggered the gout flare-up.
Why the increasing number of individuals with hyperuricemia? Three lifestyle habits or “culprits”
1. Overwork
Overwork serves as both a cause and a trigger for gout onset.
Individuals with high uric acid levels are more prone to illness if they are overworked compared to those who are not fatigued. This is a result of kidney function decline and uric acid metabolism obstruction.
As the saying goes, in hyperuricemia, prevention is better than cure. Reducing kidney stress, giving the kidneys rest, avoiding excessive purine intake, all play a positive role in preventing gout.
2. Regular consumption of high-purine foods
Chicken, beef, lamb, and various seafood are rich in purine substances, with around 150-800mg of purine per 100 grams of food. These substances convert into uric acid in the body, increasing the burden on the kidneys.
Over time, the formation of uric acid crystals in the body obstructs the renal glomeruli, leading to a delayed uric acid metabolism and gouty arthritis onset.
3. Chronic alcohol consumption
According to recent research, alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid and toxins by the kidneys, leading to gout, kidney stones, and even renal failure.
Additionally, the guanosine acid in beer accelerates uric acid production, surpassing the kidneys’ metabolic capacity, resulting in gout and impacting people’s quality of life.
Before a gout attack, the body undergoes noticeable changes that should not be ignored
1. Urinary abnormalities
The basic function of the kidneys is to generate urine to eliminate water, toxins, and a small amount of uric acid. When there are issues with the kidneys, harmful substances and uric acid accumulate, affecting kidney function.
Over time, the accumulation of toxins and uric acid slows down the kidneys’ excretory function, stimulating the urinary system and affecting normal urination.
2. Physical fatigue
Gout is a chronic disease resulting from kidney metabolic disorders. Once the kidneys are affected, the body loses a significant amount of absorbed nutrients like proteins, impacting overall health.
Without the proper absorption and utilization of nutrients in the body, individuals become weak, fatigued, and lethargic in their daily lives.
3. Body swelling
With the kidneys’ function compromised by uric acid and toxins, excess water cannot be effectively excreted, leading to the accumulation of fluid in soft tissues, causing varying degrees of swelling in areas like the eyelids, face, and lower limbs.
If unexplained body swelling occurs upon waking, especially after minimal water intake the previous evening, seek immediate kidney function evaluation at a hospital.
At 38, Mr. Li’s uric acid levels dropped from 640 to 230. Remember: Regularly following a simple rule can restore kidney function
Engage in 30 minutes of exercise daily
Consistent exercise is a way to care for the kidneys and reduce uric acid levels. Moderate exercise can accelerate kidney metabolism and detoxification, enhance immune resistance, and lessen the kidney’s burden.
However, avoid excessive physical strain, as over-exertion can exacerbate kidney stress and hasten uric acid production.
