What are the harms of hyperuricemia?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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What are the dangers of hyperuricemia?

First, it primarily causes gouty arthritis, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in certain joints, along with limited movement. For some people, the pain can be extremely unbearable.

Second, long-term high levels of uric acid can damage the kidneys, leading to impaired kidney function.

Third, these purines deposit in the joints forming gout stones, further affecting the function of these joints and reducing the quality of life.

Therefore, it is important to treat hyperuricemia early to prevent complications.

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Written by Zhang Li
Endocrinology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Treatment of Hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia is becoming increasingly common in today's life, and its treatment is divided into two main aspects: lifestyle interventions and medication treatment. For lifestyle, the main focus should be on healthy eating, quitting smoking, maintaining regular exercise, and proper weight control. Regarding diet, a strict low-purine diet is essential, especially avoiding the consumption of animal offals, meat broths, seafood, and beer. Additionally, it is important to alkalinize urine, which can be done using substances like baking soda or soda water. Also, ensure to drink plenty of water, maintaining a daily intake of over 2000 milliliters, and control other risk factors that can cause hyperuricemia, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. In terms of medication, the choice of drugs should be based on the different causes of hyperuricemia. If it is due to a uric acid excretion disorder, drugs like probenecid may be used. If it is due to an overproduction of uric acid, medications like allopurinol could be considered. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What should be avoided with hyperuricemia?

Foods to avoid for hyperuricemia include those high in purines. Here is a list of foods that are high in purines: 1. Seafood, such as some shellfish, shrimp, crab, and certain fishes. 2. Broths that have been simmered for a long time, as they tend to contain higher levels of purines. 3. Certain mushrooms should be consumed less, such as shiitake and straw mushrooms. 4. Animal organs should be avoided as much as possible. 5. Alcohol, especially strong spirits and beer, should be avoided; instead, it's important to drink plenty of water, ensuring to consume 1500 to 2000 milliliters daily.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Are hyperuricemia and high uric acid the same thing?

Firstly, hyperuricemia and high uric acid levels refer to the same concept, defined as blood uric acid levels greater than 420. This condition is described as asymptomatic hyperuricemia, which does not require special treatment at this stage, but it does necessitate changes in lifestyle habits such as abstaining from alcohol, avoiding eating animal organs, seafood, and high-protein foods, not drinking carbonated beverages, and losing weight if obese, to help control body weight. After changing these lifestyle habits, a recheck of the uric acid levels should be done in two weeks to see if there has been a decrease. If the levels have not decreased at that time, sodium bicarbonate tablets can be used to alkalinize the urine. Additionally, increasing water intake to promote the excretion of uric acid and monitoring the dynamic changes in uric acid levels are needed. Once joint pain occurs, which indicates an acute gout attack, proper uric acid-lowering medication is required. (Please undergo medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate blindly.)

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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 Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Can people with hyperuricemia drink alcohol?

Patients with hyperuricemia are advised to avoid drinking alcohol. Especially liquors such as baijiu and beer, which have high purine content, are contraindicated for patients with hyperuricemia. Furthermore, if hyperuricemia is diagnosed with high levels of uric acid, one should abstain from alcohol, and also pay attention to diet by avoiding foods high in purines to prevent complications such as gouty arthritis and gouty kidney.