What are the harms of hyperuricemia?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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The dangers of hyperuricemia:

Firstly, some individuals might experience gouty arthritis, characterized by localized joint swelling, redness, heat, and pain, affecting mobility.

Secondly, prolonged hyperuricemia can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic renal failure.

Thirdly, if hyperuricemia persists long-term, it may result in the formation of tophi. Tophi deposited in joints can cause joint deformities and limited mobility. Additionally, hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and thus should be taken seriously.

Other Voices

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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Can people with hyperuricemia eat wood ear mushrooms?

People with hyperuricemia can eat wood ear mushrooms. As wood ear mushrooms are considered a low-purine food, containing approximately 8.8mg of purines per 100 grams, they can be consumed during hyperuricemia. For hyperuricemia, it is necessary to restrict some high-purine foods, such as animal offal, clams, crabs, oysters, and sardines. Some meats, seafood, peas, and spinach, which also contain a certain amount of purines, can be consumed in moderation. Wood ear mushrooms are a low-purine food and are generally not restricted. Thus, people with hyperuricemia can eat wood ear mushrooms.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
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Hyperuricemia standards

The diagnostic criteria for hyperuricemia specify that under normal purine diet conditions, if the fasting serum uric acid level on non-consecutive days exceeds 420 micromoles/liter for males and 360 micromoles/liter for females, hyperuricemia can be diagnosed. Hyperuricemia is typically classified into primary hyperuricemia and secondary hyperuricemia, with most patients showing no clear clinical symptoms.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Hyperuricemia and Its Complications

Hyperuricemia mainly refers to the elevation of uric acid levels in the blood, with levels exceeding 420 umol/l in males and 360 umol/l in females being diagnostic criteria. Some patients with hyperuricemia may not show symptoms, but if not controlled, complications can arise such as gouty arthritis, which manifests as local joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and even limited mobility. If it affects the kidneys, it leads to gouty kidney, which is characterized by abnormal kidney function and elevated creatinine levels. Therefore, if diagnosed with hyperuricemia, it is advisable to control diet, drink plenty of water, and seek timely medical treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun
Endocrinology
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Pre-symptomatic hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia in the preclinical phase can be asymptomatic, only showing fluctuating or persistent hyperuricemia during blood tests. From the increase in uric acid to the onset of symptoms, it can generally take several years to decades. Additionally, some changes in the kidneys due to the deposition of uric acid can cause manifestations of gouty nephropathy. Early stages may present intermittent proteinuria and increased urine foam. As the condition progresses, the kidney's concentrating ability may decrease, resulting in increased nighttime urination. Further progression can lead to renal insufficiency, elevated creatinine and urea nitrogen, and possibly swelling and hypertension. In severe cases, acute renal failure may occur, showing symptoms of oliguria or anuria. This type of uric acid nephropathy is primarily due to the deposition in the kidneys, causing episodes of kidney stones and back pain, with stone episodes also accompanied by hematuria. Therefore, the main presentations are associated with the deposition of uric acid in the kidneys during the preclinical phase of hyperuricemia.

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Written by Li Lang Bo
Endocrinology
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Can people with hyperuricemia eat eggs?

In the case of hyperuricemia, we primarily recommend a low-purine diet to prevent the onset of gouty arthritis. As for the nutritional content of eggs, they are considered a food with a moderate level of purines. Therefore, when uric acid levels are relatively high, it is still possible to consume them in moderation. Aside from diet, it is also necessary to drink plenty of water or to alkalize the urine using baking soda tablets even if there is a transient increase in blood uric acid levels. If sufficient water is consumed, it is less likely for deposits to form in the joints. If deposits do not easily form, it also relatively reduces the possibility of triggering inflammatory responses, thus preventing the occurrence of gouty arthritis. Therefore, it is possible to consume an appropriate amount of eggs, but it is also important to drink plenty of water and appropriately alkalize the urine.