Symptoms of hyperuricemia

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Hyperuricemia, some people are asymptomatic, while others may present various symptoms. Commonly, it first affects the joints, resulting in gouty arthritis, characterized by local joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain. This most frequently involves the metatarsophalangeal joints of the feet, as well as the ankle and wrist joints. Secondly, gout can lead to gouty nephropathy, accompanied by renal insufficiency. Thirdly, it can cause gouty rheumatism, leading to joint mobility impairment. Therefore, it is essential to prevent hyperuricemia in a timely manner to avoid complications such as gouty arthritis, gouty nephropathy, and gouty rheumatism.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
29sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
29sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Hyperuricemia treatment agent

Currently, the main treatments for hyperuricemia in clinical practice include the following types. One category is drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis, primarily allopurinol and febuxostat. Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, which mainly works by preventing the conversion of hypoxanthine and xanthine into uric acid through the inhibition of xanthine oxidase. Febuxostat, on the other hand, is a newer xanthine oxidase inhibitor and may be more effective than allopurinol in lowering blood uric acid levels. Another category includes drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid, suitable for patients with normal renal function and hyperuricemia. These mainly include probenecid, benzbromarone, and some use of thiazide diuretics, though their effectiveness for hyperuricemia is somewhat controversial. (Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What is contraindicated for hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia contraindications include the following points: 1. Strictly limit the intake of purines, restrict foods that contain more purines, including animal organs, bone marrow, seafood, fermented foods, beans, etc. 2. Reduce the intake of fats, as fats can decrease the excretion of uric acid. 3. Avoid high-protein foods, such as lean meat, chicken, and duck, which should be boiled and the broth discarded before consumption to avoid eating stewed or marinated meats. 4. Abstain from alcohol, as alcohol can lead to the accumulation of lactate in the body and inhibit the excretion of uric acid, easily triggering gout attacks. 5. Avoid hot pot, as the main ingredients in hot pot are animal organs, shrimp, shellfish, and seafood, and drinking beer with it can aggravate the condition, making these items contraindications for hyperuricemia.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
54sec home-news-image

Treatment of Hyperuricemia with Medication

The treatment of hyperuricemia primarily involves dietary control, focusing on low-purine foods, increasing water intake, and maintaining regular exercise. Additionally, alkalizing the urine using sodium bicarbonate to keep the urine pH between 6.2 and 6.9 can help facilitate the excretion of uric acid. It's also important to avoid medications that can increase uric acid levels. For reducing uric acid, treatments mainly include probenecid, which can increase the excretion of uric acid, and febuxostat, an alternative to allopurinol, though side effects of these medications should be noted. Therefore, it is advised for patients with hyperuricemia to consult a doctor at a reputable hospital before taking any medications.