According to experts, incorrect perception of uric acid can slow down the process of disease control.
Increased uric acid does not necessarily mean you definitely have gout. Understanding the right diet, exercise and uric acid index helps patients avoid unfounded controls.
Uric acid is a product created when the body breaks down purines. Increased urate levels in the blood are an important factor related to gout, but not all people with high uric acid develop gout.
Gout occurs when urate crystals form and accumulate in the joint, causing pain, swelling, heat, and redness. Below are 5 common misunderstandings about uric acid that need to be noted.
5 misunderstandings about uric acid and gout
| Misunderstanding | Correct information |
|---|---|
| Increased uric acid can also occur in young people. | |
| Not everyone with high uric acid gets gout. | |
| It is necessary to comprehensively control diet, weight, alcohol and underlying diseases. | |
| Prolonged fasting or rapid weight loss can increase urate levels. | |
| No pain does not mean you can ignore increased uric acid. |
Not all cases of increased uric acid require medication.
1. Only older people have increased uric acid
Hyperuricemia and gout and gout are not only seen in the elderly. The risk may be related to many factors such as genetics, overweight, obesity, impaired kidney function, some metabolic diseases and some medications.
Gout can occur in many age groups, although the risk is not the same between individuals.
2. High uric acid means you have gout
This is one of the most common misunderstandings.
A person with high uric acid levels in the blood is not necessarily diagnosed with gout. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that not all people with high uric acid levels develop gout. Diagnosis should be based on symptoms, examination, and appropriate tests.
In people with suspected gout symptoms, doctors may assess blood urate levels and in some cases additional joint fluid tests or diagnostic imaging are needed.
3. What to avoid when you have gout: Just avoid red meat is enough to lower uric acid?
Red meat and organs contain a lot of purines, but diet is only a part of gout control.
Alcohol, some seafood and foods, and sugary drinks can also be associated with increased urate risk and gout attacks. In addition, weight, kidney function, medication intake, and genetic factors all need to be considered.
4. Fasting and rapid weight loss help quickly lower uric acid
Reasonable weight loss may be beneficial for overweight or obese people, but you should not fast or apply excessive weight loss to try to lower uric acid.
Metabolic changes when fasting for a long time or losing weight too quickly can affect urate levels. Therefore, weight loss goals should be implemented gradually, combining a balanced diet and appropriate exercise.
5. No joint pain, so no need to care about uric acid
No symptoms of joint pain does not mean that all cases of high uric acid can be ignored. However, it should also not be understood that as soon as uric acid increases, medicine must be used.
Doctors need to assess urate levels, gout history, kidney function, stool history, and other risk factors before deciding on treatment directions. Uric acid stones are one of the types of kidney stones and can form when urine is highly acidic.
The information in the article is for reference only, not for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should talk directly to your doctor for accurate and appropriate advice to your health condition.
Q&A corner: Exercise regimen to control uric acid
Does exercise help eliminate uric acid faster?
High-intensity exercise should not be considered a quick way to "excrete uric acid". People with gout are still encouraged to maintain appropriate physical activity. People with underlying diseases or are in acute gout should choose a suitable level of exercise and talk to their doctor when needed.
