Warning signs of gout: Predisposing factors and lifestyle interventions for hyperuricemia

Which joints are most susceptible to damage from high uric acid? The first metatarsophalangeal joint is most vulnerable, accounting for approximately 72%; followed by other metatarsophalangeal joints, accounting for approximately 10%; and then the ankle joint, accounting for approximately 9%. The heel, Achilles tendon, wrist, and small joints are less susceptible to damage, accounting for approximately 9%. Obesity is also related to hyperuricemia. Among people with hyperuricemia: approximately 25% are severely obese; approximately 27% are mildly obese; and approximately 48% are of normal weight. In addition, some people also have the "three highs": hypertension (approximately 43%), hyperlipidemia (approximately 38%), and hyperglycemia (approximately 19%). Avoid excessive alcohol consumption; drink alcohol in moderation. Prevent exposure to cold; adjust clothing according to weather changes. Pay attention to safety; injuries from accidents can also cause or worsen hyperuricemia. Drink adequate water; daily water intake should not be less than 2000ml.

Do all people with high uric acid experience noticeable discomfort? The detection rate of asymptomatic hyperuricemia is as high as 20%, meaning that 20 out of 100 people with hyperuricemia are asymptomatic. This is a terrifying number! Without symptoms, people don't seek treatment. Without treatment, medication isn't used, allowing the elevated uric acid to wreak havoc in the body. It's a tragic situation when uric acid in the serum becomes saturated and precipitates as urate crystals, depositing in tissues and joints! **Important Note:** In recent years, there have been reports of misdiagnosis of hyperuricemia throughout China, with a misdiagnosis rate of 50% to 80%, significantly higher than other diseases. If you have the aforementioned symptoms, a lifestyle habit of consuming high-purine foods and alcohol, or a history of exposure to cold or injury, you must see a doctor promptly. Especially for middle-aged and young people who frequently attend social events, while preventing "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol), it's crucial not to forget to prevent "high uric acid"!

Advice from a person with high uric acid: I am a finance manager at a foreign company, just 32 years old this year. Because I haven't met a girl who moves me, I'm still unmarried. My parents have argued with me a lot about this. To avoid friction with them, I often use company business as an excuse to eat out for dinner, only returning home after they've gone to sleep. My frequent dinner companion is Xiao Chen from the planning department. When two men get together, they inevitably drink, eat meat, and chat. Xiao Chen especially loves fish roe and liver; every meal includes these two dishes. Over time, I've caught his habit and eat them every day without fail. We get along well, so we talk a lot, and before we know it, several glasses of liquor have been downed. Those of us in this line of work often have to work overtime, and recently I've been feeling weak all over and experiencing joint discomfort, but I haven't paid much attention to it. Afterwards, the general manager and I went to a meeting out of town and took a day trip to the mountains. I caught a slight cold afterward. Soon after, I noticed my ankle and big toe were red and swollen, and I couldn't put weight on them while walking. I thought I had sprained my ankle while walking on the mountain path, so I went to the clinic, got some safflower oil to apply, and insisted on going to work. Five or six days later, my foot not only didn't get better but was also severely swollen, so I finally went to the hospital. The orthopedic doctor examined my bones and suggested I get an X-ray, but seeing the long line and the wait, I figured I hadn't actually hurt myself, so I didn't bother. I didn't get an X-ray, just picked up some medicine and a wash and went home. My family cooked me lots of delicious food, including creamed cauliflower, braised fish roe, and stir-fried pork kidneys… I don't know if it was because my mom's cooking was better than restaurant food, or if I hadn't eaten home-cooked meals in a long time, but I ate and drank excessively for several days. Then, I suddenly experienced chills, back pain, decreased urination, and swelling. My family rushed me to the hospital, where I underwent blood tests and a CT scan. I only just found out I had hyperuricemia (gout). The doctor treating me noticed a cluster of small bumps near my dad's outer ear and inquired about his diet and habits. The doctor suggested he also get a blood test, and the results showed he also had hyperuricemia. In the doctor's words, my dad was the "hidden" hyperuricemia patient, and I developed a predisposition to it through him. Combined with the effects of overwork, exposure to cold weather, prolonged consumption of high-purine foods, and alcohol consumption, I developed hyperuricemia with an acute attack.

The doctor said my symptoms—redness and swelling in my toes and ankles, joint pain, chills, decreased urination, and lower back pain—were all caused by high uric acid causing problems in my body! Under the doctor's guidance, I changed my diet, eating more low-purine foods, quitting alcohol, and drinking plenty of water. After a period of bed rest and medication, my blood uric acid levels returned to normal. Dr. Tang advises that "the three highs" refer to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases induced by these three conditions have become the leading cause of illness and mortality among all diseases. In fact, long before being diagnosed with the "three highs," people are already in a state of "sub-health." Since this hasn't yet developed into a disease, medication is generally unnecessary. However, if this sub-healthy state is left untreated, it can easily develop into the "three highs." By correcting unhealthy lifestyle habits, strengthening physical exercise and psychological therapy, and taking health supplements in a targeted manner, you can easily and happily stay away from the "three highs."