Gout Day with concern Universal

The 8th Gout Day with concern Universal fell on Apr 20, 2023. The figure 420 happens to be the critical value for the diagnosis of hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can be diagnosed if an individual's serum uric acid (SUA) level exceeds 420umol/L twice on different days. Gout is a common complication of hyperuricemia.

 

Gout is a disease caused by the deposition of uric and acid crystals in the joints due to high SUA levels. 

 

Uric acid crystals have a tendency to accumulate in areas with high friction and susceptibility to damage, such as the arches, ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and knuckles. The first joint that is usually affected is the first metatarsophalangeal joint (which connects the big toe of the foot and the sole of the foot). When the attack occurs, it is accompanied by obvious redness, swelling, heat, and pain. When touched, the skin is slightly warmer. Severe cases can cause joint deformities and renal function damage.

 

 

Medical intervention is essential in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. Whether it is in the acute phase or the intermittent phase, it is necessary to use uric acid lowering medicines under the guidance of doctors. 

 

In addition, lifestyle interventions are also necessary on the basis of medication treatment. Gout patients need to maintain a balanced diet, do moderate exercise, drink more water, and control their weight.

 

 

In daily life, it is necessary to limit the consumption of several types of foods that cause an increase in SUA:

 

1) Alcohol

 

2) Seafood

 

3) Offal

 

4) Thick soup and other high-purine foods

 

5) Sweeteners and other high-fructose foods

 

Gout patients can eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs and milk. In addition, they can also consume soy products in moderation, which are rich in purines. However, as they are plant-based foods and the purines they contain are not easily absorbed by the human body, consuming soy products is not closely related to the increase in uric acid levels in gout patients or the acute onset of gout arthritis.

 

 

The types of aerobic exercise suitable for gout patients include brisk walking, jogging and swimming. However, gout patients should avoid vigorous exercise because it can cause muscles to produce a large amount of lactic acid, leading to an increase in blood acid content, accelerated purine growth, and an increase in uric acid. 

 

 

The daily water intake of gout patients should range from 2-3 liters. It is better to drink pure water and alkaline mineral water. It is not recommended to consume strong tea, carbonated drinks, or alcoholic beverages such as beer. Long-term consumption of the above beverages in large quantities can easily lead to high uric acid levels in the body, causing uric acid crystallization and further inducing gout.

 

 

Gout patients should ensure their weight within the normal range. Weight gain is an important factor in the occurrence of gout. On the contrary, weight loss can significantly prevent or lower high uric acid levels and reduce the frequency of acute gout attacks.

 

Gout is a chronic and systemic disease that can cause damage to multiple organs and affect life expectancy in severe cases. Gout patients also need to go through a long-term and systematic treatment process. During the treatment process, patients should not reduce, change, or stop medication, and must maintain a healthy lifestyle for the long term. In addition, it is necessary to regularly monitor SUA levels to maintain them within the target range (240-420umol/L), and should regularly screen and monitor target organ damage and related complications.