“It’s more painful than childbirth!”

This is what half of the surveyed women said when they were asked about gout—a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by intense pain and swelling of the joints.

The pain can be so severe that touching the inflamed region with a feather can be excruciating. The flare-up can last from a few days to a few weeks.

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis in the Philippines—where it’s estimated that about 1.6 million Filipinos have it, with the prevalence increasing over the years. 

In this post, we’ll talk about uric acid and gout, and how to avoid flare-ups that are so painful they make childbirth like a walk in the park.

What Exactly Is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is the chemical byproduct when the body breaks down purines. Purine is naturally produced by the body and is also found in food like red meat, shellfish, liver, anchovies, beans, peas, and even beer.

Uric acid dissolves in the blood and goes through the kidneys where it is filtered and eliminated through urine.

That’s how it’s supposed to work. But when there’s more uric acid than your kidneys can filter out, it starts to build up in the bloodstream. High uric acid levels—a condition known as hyperuricemia—can cause crystals to form, and this is where the trouble starts.

Sharp crystals clump together and can lodge in your joints—causing inflammation, pain, and swelling—this is the thing we commonly know as gout.

In addition, uric acid crystals can also accumulate in the kidneys, clog urinary tracts, and can cause pain when peeing.

Why Uric Acid Builds Up

Like most things, the problem with uric acid doesn’t happen overnight. It results from a combination of factors pushing uric acid levels higher. Let’s dive into some of the culprits:

#1 Diet and Lifestyle

The food you eat plays a significant role in uric acid production. If you love indulging in purine-rich foods like liver, red meat, or seafood, you're giving your body extra purine material to break down. And that can naturally lead to increased uric acid levels.

But it’s not just food. Alcohol, especially beer, is notorious for raising uric acid levels. The same goes for sugary drinks and high-fructose corn syrup. Your can of soda contributes not just sugar but also uric acid into the bloodstream.

While all of this is happening, while uric acid levels are rising, a sedentary lifestyle doesn’t help things. Being inactive reduces how much of it gets flushed out. Because when you’re inactive, your body is less efficient at processing and eliminating waste.

#2 Genetics

In addition to diet and lifestyle factors, genetics also play a significant role in whether or not an individual is likely to experience arthritis or gout attacks.

Is gout hereditary?

While heritability does not guarantee that you will develop the condition, it does mean you are more susceptible to it. It has been estimated that the heritability rate for gout is between 45% to 73%.

Unfortunately, some people are just more prone to high uric acid levels because of their genes. If gout runs in your family, you might be genetically predisposed to uric acid buildup. So even if you’re cautious about your diet and stay active, you could still struggle with flare-ups.

That said, men are three times more likely to develop gout.

#3 Medication

Certain drugs can mess with your uric acid levels. Diuretics (also known as water pills) are often prescribed for high blood pressure but can reduce the amount of uric acid your kidneys flush out.

Also, low-dose aspirin, used to prevent heart attacks, can make it harder for your body to excrete uric acid.

#4 Obesity

Obesity is another risk factor. When you carry extra weight, your body produces more uric acid and your kidneys have a harder time getting rid of it. So, shedding those extra pounds can have a big impact on reducing your risk of gout and a host of other issues.

Managing Uric Acid Levels

Up until this point, you might be thinking that uric acid is inherently bad and we must avoid it at all costs. Although it’s better known for the problems it can cause when present in excess, uric acid has one very important function.

It is an antioxidant.

As such, it helps protect cells from oxidative damage. It scavenges harmful free radicals in the bloodstream and helps reduce cellular damage and inflammation.

But if you’re not careful, your unchecked lifestyle might slowly and silently be build up uric acid to excess. And before you know it, you’ll find yourself battling with gout.

But that said, let’s now look at some of the ways to manage uric acid in the blood.

#1 Adjust Your Diet

One of the simplest ways to control uric acid is by tweaking your diet. Cutting back on foods like red meat, organ meats, and certain seafood (like sardines and anchovies) can help reduce purines which are the precursors of uric acid production.

You might also want to limit alcohol, especially beer, and sugary drinks like soda, which can raise uric acid levels.

Instead, focus on eating foods that help lower uric acid, like cherries. Some studies suggest that cherries can reduce the risk of gout attacks.  

Other food items that can potentially help prevent inflammation are ginger, nettle tea, dandelion, milk thistle seeds, and hibiscus.  

You should also avoid food that can trigger gout attacks. Every individual is different and has different triggers. Some experience a flare-up after eating nuts, others react to okra, and still, others to mongo. It is best to stay away from your food triggers.

#2 Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water has a ton of benefits to the body. One of them is that it helps flush uric acid out of your system. When you’re dehydrated, your kidneys can’t work as efficiently, which can lead to the accumulation of uric acid.

So, aim for at least 8 cups of water a day, and more if you’re active or live in a hot environment.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, if you are experiencing a flare-up, you should increase your water intake to 16 glasses of water a day to flush excess uric acid from your system. 

#3 Get Moving

Moving when you’re already experiencing a flare-up is next to impossible. The tiniest bit of exertion can be excruciating.

Prevent and minimize attacks by maintaining an active lifestyle. Regular physical activity can help maintain healthy uric acid levels by improving your overall metabolic health. Go for cardio exercises that get your heart pumping and the blood flowing. Whether it’s walking, swimming, or biking, exercise gets your blood moving and your kidneys working efficiently.

Plus, losing excess weight can make a big difference in reducing uric acid—obesity is one of the risk factors for gout. Research has shown that the risk of getting gout increases by 55% every time your body mass index (BMI) goes up 5 points.

#4 Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

We know the kidneys are central to the flushing out of uric acid from the body. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, hydrating, and avoiding smoking and alcohol are already things you can do to keep it in good condition.

Additionally, whenever possible, you should limit taking drugs that over time can cause damage to the kidneys. This includes painkillers and antibiotics.

Stay away from processed food that contains lots of phosphorus and sodium that strain the kidneys.  

#5 Consider Medications

If diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medication may be necessary to manage uric acid in the blood—especially when gout runs in your family.

Drugs like allopurinol help reduce the production of uric acid, while others like probenecid help your body get rid of excess through your urine. If you’ve experienced frequent gout attacks or kidney stones, your doctor might recommend one of these medications to keep things in check.

It’s important not to self-medicate and ask your doctor about drugs and their side effects as they relate to managing your uric acid levels.

BloodWorks Lab is your partner in maintaining your overall health and well-being. We offer a range of check-up packages tailored to your needs.

BloodWorks is also your one-stop shop for all your blood test needs—offering safe and accurate medical screenings and tests. 

We were the first in the country to offer the Anti Acetylcholine Receptor (lgG) Antibody Test and the Anti N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.

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