Gout can still appear in young people. Gout is still more common in older people, but recent studies have noted that the burden of the disease in young people is increasing.
Acute gout occurs due to inflammatory reactions related to urate crystals deposited in the joint.
Gout attacks often start quickly with severe pain, swelling, heat, redness, often seen in the plantar joint, big toe but also in the ankle, knee and other joints. The pain can subside on its own after a few days, causing many people to subjectively assume that the disease has subsided.
Drinking a lot of alcohol, regularly using purine-rich foods, sugary drinks and maintaining a lifestyle that causes weight gain can contribute to increased blood urate and gout risk. However, increased blood urate does not necessarily mean gout and lifestyle is not the only factor determining the disease.
| Habits to avoid | Mechanism of action that increases uric acid | Adjustment advice for young people |
|---|---|---|
| Limit eating animal guts, liver, and red meat. Priority should be given to safe protein sources from eggs and low-fat milk. | ||
| Alcohol impairs the kidney's uric acid excretion function, while stimulating the liver to increase the production of more urate. | Minimize alcoholic beverages. Replenish enough 2 - 2.5 liters of filtered water per day to help the kidneys eliminate waste. | |
| Prioritize using filtered water, unsweetened green tea or pure fresh fruit juices. | ||
| Excess fat tissue volume increases the rate of uric acid synthesis, while reducing the ability to filter excretion through urine. | Maintain physical activity for at least 30-45 minutes per day. Control BMI at a standard level. | |
| When starved, muscle cells are quickly destroyed to create energy, instantly releasing a massive amount of endogenous purines into the blood. | Apply a balanced diet, do not skip breakfast. Develop a scientific and sustainable weight loss roadmap. |
Factors that increase uric acid in young people
According to experts, modern lifestyles can contribute to increasing the risk of disease onset. Frequent alcohol abuse combined with meals high in viscera, red meat and seafood can create adverse effects, strongly increasing uric acid levels.
In addition, overweight, excess energy intake and lack of exercise are also metabolic factors that can support the early onset of gout.
Supporting measures for control and prevention
No food can completely prevent gout, so young people need to aim for a balanced diet. It is necessary to minimize alcohol and control the amount of foods rich in purines. Maintaining regular physical activity helps control weight and metabolic health, contributing to keeping the uric acid index at a safe level.
Patients should not arbitrarily take medicine or wait until the pain is severe to go for examination. If the joint suddenly hurts severely, swollen, hot, red, or the pain recurs, they should go for examination to determine the cause.
Q&A corner: Gout in young people
Do acute gout attacks that disappear spontaneously after a few days mean that the uric acid level in the blood has returned to normal levels?
According to medicine, reduced pain is only a characteristic of acute arthritis episodes, which does not mean that uric acid levels have stabilized or the disease has recovered. If urate levels remain high, urate crystals can continue to form and deposit, increasing the risk of gout attacks recurring, tophi granules forming, and long-term joint damage.
