How to Effectively Treat Gout?
Gout is caused by improper diet and excessive intake of high-purine foods, leading to excessive purine intake, elevated uric acid, and ultimately the disease. Gout has become a relatively common chronic illness. Mild cases can cause arthritis, while severe cases can lead to joint disability, renal dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases. If gout is diagnosed, timely and correct adjustment is necessary to prevent the condition from dragging on for too long. About one-third of patients with longer disease duration may develop renal complications, such as uric acid nephropathy, renal uric acid stones, and symptoms of renal failure, which can be fatal in severe cases. To relieve gout, it is necessary to reduce uric acid, which requires reducing purine intake. This can be achieved through dietary adjustments. Speaking of diet, traditional Chinese medicinal diet therapy deserves special mention.
1. Spicy and Stimulating Condiments: According to current understanding, condiments such as MSG, soy sauce, chili peppers, curry, pepper, Chinese prickly ash, mustard, ginger, fennel, and star anise do not contain high purine levels. However, they can stimulate the autonomic nervous system and trigger acute gout attacks. Excessive consumption of these stimulating condiments is not beneficial for gout patients, so they should be consumed in moderation.
2. High-Purine Foods: Excessive consumption of high-purine foods can lead to purine metabolism disorders, resulting in the accumulation of uric acid in the body and the formation of uric acid crystals, which can trigger gout. High-purine foods mainly include rich and fatty meats, seafood, and animal viscera.
3. Acidic Foods: Gout patients have purine metabolism disorders and abnormal uric acid levels. Excessive consumption of acidic foods can exacerbate the condition and hinder recovery. Eating alkaline foods can help supplement potassium, sodium, and chloride ions and maintain acid-base balance. However, due to endocrine disorders in patients, alkaline substances may not be easily absorbed. It is recommended to drink mineral-rich soda water, which can be absorbed in small amounts under the action of trace minerals, thereby improving the acidic environment in the patient's body.