What is hyperuricemia?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Hyperuricemia refers to a condition where, under normal purine diet, fasting blood uric acid levels exceed 420 micromoles per liter in males and 360 micromoles per liter in females. Uric acid is the final metabolic product of human purine compounds. Disorders in purine metabolism lead to hyperuricemia, which is influenced by various factors including genetics, gender, age, lifestyle, dietary habits, medical treatments, and the level of economic development. Clinically, hyperuricemia can be classified into primary and secondary types. Common clinical manifestations mainly include gout, and possibly arthritis, which are closely related to hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and renal impairment. Therefore, it is necessary to control hyperuricemia.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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How is hyperuricemia treated?

The treatment of hyperuricemia mainly includes: First, improving lifestyle, including healthy eating with a low-purine diet, quitting smoking, drinking more water, exercising regularly, and controlling weight. Second, alkalinizing the urine using sodium bicarbonate to maintain urine pH between 6.2 and 6.9, which facilitates the excretion of uric acid. Third, avoiding medications that increase blood uric acid levels, such as diuretics, corticosteroids, and insulin, among others. Fourth, using medications that lower uric acid, including drugs that increase uric acid excretion, mainly benzbromarone and probenecid, and drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis, such as allopurinol and febuxostat. The choice of medication has specific indications, contraindications, and side effects, and it is advised to use these medications under the guidance of a specialist and not to self-medicate.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What are the harms of hyperuricemia?

What are the dangers of hyperuricemia? First, it primarily causes gouty arthritis, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain in certain joints, along with limited movement. For some people, the pain can be extremely unbearable. Second, long-term high levels of uric acid can damage the kidneys, leading to impaired kidney function. Third, these purines deposit in the joints forming gout stones, further affecting the function of these joints and reducing the quality of life. Therefore, it is important to treat hyperuricemia early to prevent complications.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
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Can people with hyperuricemia drink alcohol?

Patients with hyperuricemia are advised to avoid drinking alcohol. Especially liquors such as baijiu and beer, which have high purine content, are contraindicated for patients with hyperuricemia. Furthermore, if hyperuricemia is diagnosed with high levels of uric acid, one should abstain from alcohol, and also pay attention to diet by avoiding foods high in purines to prevent complications such as gouty arthritis and gouty kidney.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What foods should be avoided with hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia generally requires a low-purine diet. So, what foods should be avoided? First, seafood and sea fish, as they have a high purine content and should not be consumed. Second, avoid animal organs like chicken and duck kidneys. Third, abstain from alcohol, especially strong spirits and beer, which tend to raise uric acid levels, so it's recommended to avoid them. Fourth, it is advised not to consume long-cooked broths, such as those commonly enjoyed in Guangdong where the broth is simmered for several hours, as these also have high purine content. Fifth, limit intake of some bean products and various mushrooms, as these should also be consumed minimally.

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home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 1sec home-news-image

What is hyperuricemia?

Hyperuricemia refers to a condition where, under normal purine diet, fasting blood uric acid levels exceed 420 micromoles per liter in males and 360 micromoles per liter in females. Uric acid is the final metabolic product of human purine compounds. Disorders in purine metabolism lead to hyperuricemia, which is influenced by various factors including genetics, gender, age, lifestyle, dietary habits, medical treatments, and the level of economic development. Clinically, hyperuricemia can be classified into primary and secondary types. Common clinical manifestations mainly include gout, and possibly arthritis, which are closely related to hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and renal impairment. Therefore, it is necessary to control hyperuricemia.