Gout is getting younger and the risk of kidney damage

In recent years, the rate of people aged 25-40 suffering from gout has increased alarmingly. The disease not only affects the quality of life, but also has the potential to damage joints and kidneys.

Gout and the risk of kidney damage

Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, Deputy Head of Facility 3, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that one of the main reasons why young people are susceptible to gout is due to an unhealthy modern lifestyle.

Unlike the previous generation with simple lifestyles, today's young people are often exposed to industrialized foods and partying habits, leading to earlier metabolic disorders. In addition, lack of exercise and being overweight also contribute to increasing the risk of gout in young people.

Acute gout attacks are often accompanied by episodes of severe joint pain, swelling, heat and redness in one or more joints.

Illustration: AI

“When there is little exercise, the function of metabolism and excretion of uric acid through the kidneys decreases. Combined with the habit of sitting for long periods of time, prolonged stress and inadequate sleep, the body's entire metabolic system is disrupted. Gout is no longer just a consequence of aging but has become a manifestation of a consequence of an industrialized lifestyle,” Dr. Xuan Thy explained.

In many cases, young people are subjective and do not go for regular health check-ups, do not pay attention to symptoms such as big toe pain, mild joint swelling, until an acute gout attack occurs with serious symptoms, then they discover that the disease has progressed.

Notably, gout pain in young people often recurs easily, progresses quickly and tends to damage the kidneys early if uric acid is not well controlled. There are many cases where people are only 30 years old but have tophi - a manifestation of gout - around the joints, joint deformities or kidney stones due to urate.

What to do to prevent acute gout attacks?

Dr. Xuan Thy said that acute gout attacks are typically characterized by severe joint pain, swelling, heat, and redness in one or more joints; often occurring suddenly, especially at night. Preventing acute gout attacks not only helps reduce pain but also prevents chronic joint damage and kidney complications.

To prevent recurrent acute gout attacks, the first thing patients need to do is to control uric acid levels in the blood well. The treatment goal is usually to maintain uric acid below 6 mg/dL or lower in patients who already have tophi.

Besides, diet also plays an important role in disease control and prevention.

“Patients should limit foods rich in purines such as animal organs, red meat, seafood, especially sardines and anchovies. In addition, alcohol and fructose-sweetened soft drinks should be avoided, as these are factors that increase uric acid production. On the contrary, they should increase green vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy products and drink enough about 2-3 liters of water per day to increase uric acid excretion through the kidneys,” Dr. Xuan Thy advised.

Increase green vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy products and drink enough about 2-3 liters of water per day to increase uric acid excretion through the kidneys.

Photo: AI

Maintaining a healthy weight can also significantly reduce the risk of gout attacks. Obesity not only increases uric acid production but also reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete it.

However, according to Dr. Xuan Thy, weight loss should be done slowly and properly. You should not fast or apply an excessive diet because it can cause metabolic disorders and trigger gout attacks.

In addition, patients need to avoid factors that can easily trigger gout attacks such as prolonged stress, trauma, use of diuretics without prescription or irregular eating. Associated internal diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and lipid disorders also need to be treated stably because they aggravate gout and increase the risk of complications.

“Regular follow-up with a doctor is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, check blood uric acid and adjust medication accordingly. If well controlled, patients can live a healthy life, minimize recurrence of acute gout attacks and avoid chronic damage to joints and kidneys,” Dr. Xuan Thy added.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/benh-gout-ngay-cang-tre-hoa-va-nguy-co-ton-thuong-than-185250806234824124.htm