How is hyperuricemia treated?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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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Hyperuricemia Clinical Symptoms

Some patients with hyperuricemia may not have any symptoms, and only discover elevated uric acid levels during a physical examination. However, some patients may experience gouty arthritis, manifesting as redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a localized joint, commonly in the joints of the toes. It may also affect joints like the ankle and elbow. Additionally, some patients may develop gouty nephropathy, leading to renal insufficiency. Therefore, hyperuricemia should be taken seriously to prevent severe conditions such as gouty arthritis and other serious symptoms associated with gout.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Hyperuricemia and Its Complications

Hyperuricemia mainly refers to the elevation of uric acid levels in the blood, with levels exceeding 420 umol/l in males and 360 umol/l in females being diagnostic criteria. Some patients with hyperuricemia may not show symptoms, but if not controlled, complications can arise such as gouty arthritis, which manifests as local joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and even limited mobility. If it affects the kidneys, it leads to gouty kidney, which is characterized by abnormal kidney function and elevated creatinine levels. Therefore, if diagnosed with hyperuricemia, it is advisable to control diet, drink plenty of water, and seek timely medical treatment.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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How is hyperuricemia treated?

The treatment of hyperuricemia mainly includes the following points: 1. Improve lifestyle primarily, including a low-purine diet, appropriate exercise, smoking cessation, and increased water intake. 2. Alkalize urine using sodium bicarbonate to maintain urine pH value between 6.2 and 6.9, which facilitates the excretion of uric acid. 3. Avoid drugs that increase uric acid levels, such as diuretics, corticosteroids, and insulin. 4. Use medications that lower uric acid levels; drugs that increase uric acid excretion mainly include probenecid and sulfinpyrazone, and drugs that inhibit uric acid synthesis mainly include febuxostat and allopurinol. However, the treatment with these drugs has specific indications, contraindications, and related side effects. It is advised to use medication under the guidance of a doctor and avoid choosing drugs for treatment arbitrarily.

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Written by Lin Xiang Dong
Endocrinology
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Causes of hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia is divided into primary hyperuricemia and secondary hyperuricemia. Primary hyperuricemia is mainly due to a disorder in the metabolism of purines in the body, leading to excessive production of uric acid, which in turn causes hyperuricemia. Prolonged duration can greatly increase the risk of gout. Secondary hyperuricemia refers to hyperuricemia caused by excessive production or excretion obstacles due to some common diseases, the most common being chronic renal failure or some tumors, etc.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Is hyperuricemia dangerous?

Hyperuricemia is generally diagnosed when the blood uric acid level in males exceeds 420 micromoles per liter and in females exceeds 360 micromoles per liter. Some patients with hyperuricemia are asymptomatic, but others may develop gouty arthritis, characterized by local joint redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and even limited mobility. Some patients may develop gouty nephropathy, leading to abnormal kidney function. There are also instances of patients developing tophi, which can cause joint deformity and even limited mobility. Therefore, if hyperuricemia is not controlled promptly, it poses certain risks and may lead to complications such as tophi, gouty arthritis, and gouty nephropathy.