What should I do if my uric acid level rises?

In terms of uric acid metabolism, some people are born with the “overproduction type” or “excretion disorder type” or both. Therefore, these people are born with the potential for high uric acid. Gout or hyperuricemia, as metabolic diseases, are like diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. They all have the characteristics of “genetic factors load the bullet, and environmental factors pull the trigger.”

　　As the saying goes, “30% is determined by fate, and 70% is determined by hard work.” Even if genetic factors determine that you are susceptible to hyperuricemia and gout, if you can develop correct living habits and avoid other risk factors that cause increased uric acid, gout, the “trouble maker,” will not knock on your door in the middle of the night.

　　After understanding the main reasons for the increase in blood uric acid concentration, you, as a smart person, will quickly guess the solution: “reducing the source and opening the flow”, which means minimizing the production of uric acid in the blood and promoting the excretion it.

　　In terms of “saving sources”, it is easier for us to reduce the production of exogenous it. Although this factor only accounts for 1/3 of the production it, eating less high-purine foods is still meaningful in lowering blood uric acid levels. In terms of “opening the flow”, the increase in the pH value of uric acid can increase the solubility it, so alkalinizing urine is conducive to the excretion it; in addition, the use of some drugs can inhibit the reabsorption of uric acid by the renal tubules, or increase the filtration it by the glomeruli.

Uric acid level

If your level is between 7.0 and 8.0 mg/dL, you will need to take further medical history and physical examination to let the doctor confirm whether you have related diseases such as gout, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc.

　　Research reports show that the higher the blood uric acid level, the greater the risk of developing gout in the future. When the blood uric acid level of men is <7.0 mg/dL, the annual incidence of gouty arthritis is only 0.1%, and when the blood uric acid level is 7.0-8.9 mg/dL, the annual incidence is 0.5%. However, if the blood uric acid level is ≥9.0 mg/dL, the annual incidence of gouty arthritis will be as high as 4.9%. Therefore, although hyperuricemia itself is only an abnormal test value, it must be regarded as the tip of the iceberg of potential gout disease, and professional medical institutions should conduct in-depth investigations in order to diagnose and treat related diseases early before the function of tissues and organs is damaged, or even prevent them before they occur.

　　If you are sure that your blood uric acid is high, in order to avoid developing gout, you need to do the following things in your life:

　　① Weight loss.

Obese patients need to lose weight to bring their body mass index (BMI) to an overall healthy level. Weight loss is beneficial to lowering the level of uric acid in the blood. At the same time, it will also reduce the risk of frequent heart disease and stroke in gout patients. Be careful not to try to lose weight quickly, as rapid weight loss may cause gout attacks. A good body shape is not only an aesthetic need, but also closely related to one’s own health. Obesity is like a key to open Pandora’s box, and the box is full of many diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. High uric acid and gout are also little demons sleeping in the box.

　　② Proper exercise.

Proper exercise can prevent gout attacks. Patients are encouraged to exercise regularly, usually with moderate exercise and a small amount of sweating.

　　③ Quit smoking and drinking.

Beer contains a high level of purine, so gout patients should especially quit drinking beer. People with high blood uric acid, please drink less.

　　④ Ensure adequate water intake.

In order to dissolve and excrete it, you need to drink 2500ml of water every day.

　　⑤ Eat a reasonable diet and choose a low-purine diet.

Although the amount of exogenous it from food sources is far less than that of endogenous uric acid, friends with high-risk factors can still be very beneficial for controlling uric acid levels if they can manage their mouths well and choose less high-purine foods in daily life. Which foods are high-purine foods and which are low-purine foods, we will have a food purine content table for your reference later. Of course, no one can persist in being an “ascetic monk” for a long time, and it is human nature to have a proper feast, but you must grasp the degree.

　　⑥ Learn to reduce your stress.

When the human body is under high stress, the sympathetic nerves are highly excited, directing the whole body and mind of the person to be in a state of stress. When this state of tension continues, the body’s heat is over-consumed, the metabolism is more vigorous, and the production process it is more active; on the other hand, the accumulation of mental stress leads to physical dysfunction, and the excretion of uric acid cannot be completed well. Therefore, in a stressful environment, the more uric acid is produced, the more it naturally accumulates in the body. Therefore, proper entertainment after work and study, doing everything possible to reduce psychological pressure, and learning to reduce stress are effective means to reduce the occurrence of metabolic diseases.

　　Busy work, high mental stress, irregular diet, lack of exercise… These are common problems among modern young people and are also the reasons for obesity. No matter how busy or tired you are, you should not ignore your body. You should learn to relax yourself reasonably, relieve stress, eat regularly, exercise regularly, and maintain a good body shape. Naturally, health will protect you.