Greasy Food, Alcohol, Overeating... Excess Uric Acid Causes Gout
Accounts for 25% of Gout Patients in Their 20s and 30s
As the heatwave continues, more people are seeking refreshing chicken and beer. However, frequent consumption of greasy chicken and alcoholic beverages like beer can lead to excessive accumulation of uric acid in the body, potentially triggering gout, so caution is necessary.
The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service announced on the 26th that the number of patients visiting medical institutions for gout increased about twofold from 265,065 in 2012 to 509,699 last year. Among them, 25% were young adults in their 20s and 30s, most of whom were men. In men, the kidney's ability to remove uric acid decreases with age, whereas in women, this ability is maintained until menopause.
Gout is literally a disease where even a breeze can cause pain. Joints suddenly become red and swollen, causing severe pain. The pain usually feels like being stabbed with a needle in the big toe or ankle.
Especially, the number of gout patients sharply increases in July and August when people sweat a lot. This is because the amount of water in the blood decreases, relatively raising the uric acid level in the blood.
Uric acid is a substance produced after food is digested. It usually dissolves in the blood and is excreted through urine. Gout patients have excessively high levels of uric acid in their blood. The accumulated uric acid crystallizes and causes inflammation in the cartilage and tendons of the joints.
Westernized diets and lack of exercise are considered the main causes of gout. In particular, chicken and beer are fatal for gout. Chicken is a high-protein food with a high purine content, and beer has the highest purine concentration among alcoholic beverages. Young male office workers in their 20s and 30s should be especially cautious, as they tend to consume greasy foods and drink excessively but have low physical activity.
Professor Ha Yoo-jeong of the Rheumatology Department at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital explained, "Soju and other distilled liquors have less purine content compared to beer, but the alcohol itself inhibits uric acid excretion and increases its synthesis," adding, "Drinking large amounts of soju can also trigger gout attacks."
A gout attack mainly refers to sudden inflammation causing severe swelling and redness in the big toe, ankle, or knee. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during an acute gout attack can improve symptoms within 3 to 7 days, but over the years, attacks may become more frequent and inflammation more severe.
Neglecting gout can lead to chronic kidney disease or cause fatal complications.
Dr. Kwon Won-hwan, head of the Orthopedics Department at Seran Hospital, emphasized, "Gout is painful in itself, but it can also cause various complications such as joint damage and decreased kidney function, so greater caution is needed. It is important to avoid habits like consuming greasy foods, alcohol such as beer, and overeating. Once diagnosed with gout, it is crucial to regain a normal weight and continue medication even if symptoms do not appear."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
