Daily Care for High Uric Acid Patients: 8 Misconceptions to Avoid

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Abstract:High uric acid is an increasingly common health issue in modern society, especially prevalent among middle-aged and elderly individuals. If left uncontrolled, high uric acid levels can lead to serious conditions such as gout and kidney stones. So, how should individuals with high uric acid levels care for themselves in daily life, and what precautions and common "health pitfalls" should they be aware of?

High uric acid refers to a condition where the concentration of uric acid in the blood exceeds the normal range (generally not exceeding 420μmol/L for males and 360μmol/L for females). Prolonged high uric acid levels may lead to the following issues:

Gout: Crystallization of uric acid salts within the joints, causing severe pain, redness, and inflammation.

Kidney stones: Crystallization of uric acid salts within the kidneys, leading to intense lower back pain and urinary tract infections.

Renal impairment: Prolonged high uric acid levels may result in decreased renal function, and in severe cases, may develop into kidney failure.

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Guidelines for Daily Care:

Dietary Control

Low-purine diet: Reduce the intake of high-purine foods such as animal organs, seafood, red meat, and rich meat soups.

Increase alkaline food intake: Consume more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as spinach, carrots, apples, and oats, which help neutralize the body's acidity.

Limit high-fructose beverages: Beverages containing fructose, such as sugary drinks and fruit juices, can increase uric acid production.

Stay hydrated: Consume at least 2000 milliliters of water daily to aid in uric acid excretion.

Maintain Healthy Body Weight

Weight management: Obesity can increase uric acid production and kidney burden, so maintaining a healthy body weight helps control uric acid levels.

Moderate weight loss: Avoid excessive dieting or rapid weight loss, as this can lead to rapid fat breakdown and increased uric acid production.

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Regular Exercise

Moderate exercise: Engage in approximately 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, to aid metabolism and uric acid excretion.

Avoid strenuous exercise: Strenuous exercise can lead to lactic acid accumulation in the body, inhibiting uric acid excretion and hindering uric acid control.

Medication Management

Adhere to prescribed medication: Take uric acid-lowering medications as advised by the doctor, and do not adjust the dosage or discontinue the medication without consultation.

Regular check-ups: Undergo regular uric acid tests and related examinations to monitor changes in the condition and adjust the treatment plan.

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Lifestyle Habits

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Nicotine in tobacco and alcohol can affect uric acid metabolism, increasing uric acid levels.

Adequate sleep: Ensure 7-8 hours of sleep daily to maintain metabolic balance.

Precautions

Avoid misconceptions about high-purine diets: Some patients mistakenly believe that avoiding meat alone can control uric acid, but in reality, plant-based foods such as spinach and legumes also contain purines and should be consumed in moderation.

Prevent medication side effects: Some uric acid-lowering medications may have side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort or allergies, so seek medical attention if adverse reactions occur.

Address comorbidities: Patients with high uric acid levels often have comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and should manage these comprehensively to avoid neglecting other health issues while focusing solely on uric acid treatment.

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Steer Clear of Health Misconceptions

In the course of daily management and treatment, patients often fall into certain misconceptions. Here are some common health misconceptions:

Asymptomatic means no treatment is necessary: Many patients believe that high uric acid levels do not require treatment if there are no obvious symptoms such as joint pain. This is a serious misconception. High uric acid levels, even in the absence of symptoms, can cause potential harm to the body, such as kidney damage and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, measures should be taken to control uric acid levels even in the absence of symptoms.

Blood uric acid level of 420μmol/L is sufficient: This is a common misunderstanding. In reality, the ideal target for blood uric acid control may vary from person to person and needs to consider factors such as the presence of gouty stones and kidney damage. Some patients may require lower uric acid levels to prevent disease progression.

Over-reliance on dietary control: While dietary adjustments are an important part of managing high uric acid, they may not alone solve all problems. Endogenous uric acid production accounts for a significant proportion, and dietary control alone often fails to achieve the desired effect, necessitating medication as a necessary supplement.

Lower uric acid is always better: In fact, blood uric acid levels are not necessarily better when lower. Normal physiological concentrations of uric acid have a certain protective effect on the body, and excessively low levels may increase other health risks, such as neurological issues. The ideal blood uric acid level should be personalized under medical guidance.

Acute gout attacks necessarily lead to elevated blood uric acid levels: This is a common misunderstanding. In fact, during acute gout attacks, blood uric acid levels may temporarily decrease as uric acid salt crystals deposit in the joints, but this does not necessarily indicate good uric acid control.

Rapid uric acid reduction is best: Rapid reduction in blood uric acid levels may actually trigger acute gout attacks. A steady, gradual decrease in uric acid levels is a safer and more effective strategy.

Specific foods are either entirely forbidden or completely safe: Some patients may mistakenly believe that all meats or certain vegetables are off-limits, or that certain beverages such as juice or coffee aid in uric acid excretion. In reality, food choices should be based on their purine content, and attention should be paid to the impact of beverages on uric acid, such as avoiding high-purine beverages like beer while ensuring adequate fluid intake.

Ignoring individual differences and blindly following others' treatment plans: Everyone's physical condition and response to treatment are different, so treatment plans should be individualized and not directly copied from others' treatment experiences.

The care of high uric acid requires a scientific attitude and reasonable lifestyle. By controlling diet, maintaining exercise, adhering to medication, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits, individuals with high uric acid levels can effectively manage their condition, prevent complications, and lead healthy lives.

Remember: While high uric acid is a chronic condition, it is not uncontrollable. With proactive care and avoidance of misconceptions, individuals with high uric acid levels can also lead healthy, happy lives.

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