Increasing number of young people with gout joint pain, doctors warn of signs to watch out for

Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, Deputy Head of Facility 3, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital , Ho Chi Minh City, said, Gout was once considered a disease of older people, especially middle-aged men. However, in recent years, the rate of young people with gout, especially those between the ages of 25 and 40, has been increasing.

Doctors point out the cause of early gout

Gout is a common metabolic disorder characterized by increased uric acid in the blood, leading to the deposition of urate crystals in the joints. Acute gout attacks are typically characterized by episodes of severe joint pain, swelling, heat, and redness in one or more joints, often occurring suddenly, especially at night.

Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, a specialist in Gout II, said that one of the main reasons why young people are susceptible to gout is due to an unhealthy modern lifestyle. The habit of eating a lot of red meat, seafood, drinking alcohol, carbonated soft drinks and fast food rich in purines are the leading factors that promote the increase of uric acid in the blood.

Unlike the previous generation with simple lifestyles, today's young people are often exposed to industrial foods and partying habits, leading to earlier metabolic disorders.

In addition, lack of exercise and being overweight also contribute to the increased risk of gout in young people. When there is little exercise, the function of metabolism and excretion of uric acid through the kidneys decreases. With the habit of sitting for long periods, prolonged stress and inadequate sleep, the entire metabolic system of the body is disrupted. Gout is no longer just a consequence of aging but has become a manifestation of a consequence of an industrialized lifestyle.

Modern medicine has recorded that about 10-15% of people with gout have a genetic factor in purine metabolism disorders. However, genetic factors often only play a fundamental role, it is diet and living environment that trigger the disease.

"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," said Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, a specialist II.

According to Traditional Medicine, gout corresponds to rheumatism, formed by the accumulation of damp heat, stagnant phlegm and poor circulation of blood and energy in the joints. In young people, the imbalance between the body's vital energy and the negative energy is more likely to occur when the body is not yet strong enough, and is often affected by alcohol, staying up late, overwork and irregular eating. Damaged blood and energy lead to inadequate nourishment of the joints, and damp heat accumulates in the joints, causing swelling and pain.

Notably, gout pain in young people often recurs easily, progresses rapidly 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 around the joints, joint deformities or kidney stones due to urate.

Adhere to treatment and have a scientific lifestyle to control the disease.

Early risk identification, lifestyle changes and proper treatment are key to helping young people escape the cycle of pain and joint damage caused by gout.

According to Dr. Xuan Thy, to prevent recurrence of acute gout, 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.

The use of uric acid lowering drugs must strictly follow the instructions of a specialist. Do not arbitrarily increase the dose or suddenly stop taking the drug, as this can trigger a new gout attack.

Diet plays an important role in controlling and preventing the disease. Patients should limit foods rich in purines such as animal organs, red meat, seafood, especially sardines and anchovies.

In addition, alcohol and fructose-sweetened beverages should be avoided because these are factors that increase uric acid production. On the contrary, green vegetables, fresh fruits, low-fat dairy products and drinking enough water every day (about 2-3 liters) should be increased to increase uric acid excretion through the kidneys.

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. Weight loss should be done slowly and properly, without fasting or excessive dieting, as this can disrupt metabolism 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 medical conditions 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.

According to doctors, some traditional medicines can be used to clear heat, eliminate dampness, and promote blood circulation, such as medicines made from the roots of the grass scratch, spleen, achyranthes, coix seed... However, they need to be prescribed by a qualified traditional medicine practitioner. Do not use oral medicines on your own.

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

"Gout is not an incurable disease if the patient is proactive in adjusting their lifestyle, complying with treatment and monitoring regularly. A scientific lifestyle, a reasonable diet and the company of a doctor are the keys to effectively preventing acute gout attacks and protecting the patient's long-term health," Dr. Xuan Thy advised.

THIEN LAMB

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