Gout is a common joint disease, mainly characterized by recurrent acute arthritis. Its symptoms such as pain, swelling, and heat bring great distress to patients.
Many people believe that gout is caused by excessive intake of purines in the diet, leading to increased uric acid levels, hence they strictly control the daily diet of gout sufferers.
Recent studies have also shown that dietary factors do indeed play a certain role in the onset of gout, but account for only about 20% of the factors. High-purine foods such as animal offal, seafood, red meat, as well as excessive intake of alcohol and fructose can all lead to increased uric acid production.
However, even with strict dietary control, blood uric acid levels can only be reduced by about 60-90μmol/L, which still does not meet the standards for many gout sufferers.
So, besides diet, what other factors can affect the occurrence and development of gout? Let’s hear what Dr. Huang Ruyue has to say~
Understanding Gout from Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, gout is considered a manifestation of “bi syndrome.” The “Huangdi Neijing” records: “The three evils of wind, cold, and dampness mix together, combining into bi.” Here, “bi” includes gout.
TCM believes that the occurrence of gout is mainly related to “damp-heat,” “phlegm turbidity,” and “qi stagnation.”
● Damp-heat: Living in a damp environment for a long time, or consuming an overly greasy diet, can easily lead to the accumulation of damp-heat in the body. Damp-heat obstructing the meridians affects the circulation of qi and blood, thereby triggering gout;
● Phlegm turbidity: The spleen is the source of phlegm production, and the lungs are the organs for storing phlegm. When the spleen’s function of transforming water and dampness is impaired, and the lungs cannot regulate the waterways to expel phlegm normally, phlegm turbidity accumulates in the body, obstructing the circulation of qi and blood, inducing gout;
● Qi stagnation: Unhappiness or prolonged sitting and lack of movement can lead to qi stagnation, poor blood circulation, forming gout.
Other Influencing Factors of Gout
In addition to the factors mentioned in TCM theory, there are other factors that may also affect the occurrence and development of gout:
● Genetic factors: Research has found that gout has a certain genetic predisposition. People with a family history of gout have a relatively higher risk of illness;
● Age and gender: Generally speaking, men are more likely to suffer from gout than women, and the incidence is also higher among middle-aged and elderly people. This may be related to changes in male hormones, physiological functions, and decline in kidney function;
● Lifestyle habits: Long-term staying up late, drinking alcohol, high-sugar high-fat diet, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits may increase the risk of illness;
● Other diseases: Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, as well as obesity, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases, may increase the risk of gout.
How to Prevent Gout Relapse
After understanding the causes of gout, we can take corresponding measures to prevent its relapse:
● Adjust dietary habits: Avoid high-purine foods (such as animal offal, seafood, red meat, etc.), eat more vegetables and fruits and low-fat foods. At the same time, maintain sufficient water intake to help excrete uric acid from the body.
● Maintain good living habits: Avoid staying up late, drinking alcohol, and overwork. Engage in appropriate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness and improve blood circulation.
● Control weight: Being overweight and obese increases the production of uric acid and reduces its excretion, so maintaining a healthy weight is an important measure to prevent gout.
● Regular check-ups: For those with a family history of gout or other high-risk factors, regular blood uric acid tests and related checks such as liver and kidney functions should be conducted. If problems are found, seek medical treatment promptly.
● TCM conditioning: TCM advocates adjusting the overall physical condition through methods such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, etc. For example, herbs like Scutellaria baicalensis, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and Plantago seed can be used to clear heat and drain dampness; herbs like Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Carthamus tinctorius can be used to invigorate blood and dispel stasis. The use of these herbs needs to be adjusted according to individual constitution and cannot be generalized.
Doctor’s Tips
Gout is a chronic disease that requires long-term management. Through the above lifestyle adjustments and management strategies, we can effectively control the condition and prevent the relapse of gout.
At the same time, we must recognize that each person’s constitution and condition are unique, so treatment plans also need to be individualized. Under the guidance of a doctor, finding the most suitable treatment plan is key.