The doctor makes these examinations

As a rule, the doctor will first take a medical history, in which a pronounced food intake or heavy alcohol consumption can be identified as the decisive factors. In addition, in the case of an acute attack of gout, the diseased joint should be examined. In most cases, swelling, redness and pain-related functional limitations occur.

To clarify the diagnosis, the joint can be punctured, many white blood cells (leukocytes) can be detected in the fluid, and uric acid crystals can also be discovered under the microscope. If a puncture of the joint is not successful, an ultrasound of the joint can be performed instead. In chronic gout, the gout nodules can be detected in the X-ray image, they usually appear as a so-called soft tissue shadow or can appear as “holes” in affected bones.

This is how increased urea is treated

The therapy of increased urea is based on a concept with many different approaches. As nutrition, together with increased alcohol consumption, is often the trigger of the disease, a diet plan with as little meat as possible (low purine) should be implemented. The reduction or renunciation of alcohol also plays an important role.

In addition, enough liquid (water or tea) should be drunk; 1.5 litres is considered a daily guideline. In addition, a drug therapy of the high urea level can be aimed at. So-called uricosstatics (most commonly known as allopurinol) are mainly used.

In acute attacks of gout, painkillers such as ibuprofen and, if necessary, glucocorticoids are often used at the beginning. Another important component is the therapy of concomitant diseases. In this context, kidney-friendly procedures should be used, as the kidney plays the decisive role in the excretion of urea.

Special care should be taken with the use of diuretics (water tablets), which can both improve and worsen the excretion of urea. Also concomitant diseases such as high blood pressure are often treated with renal medications and must therefore be well adjusted. Here too, kidney-friendly blood pressure medication such as Sartane should be used.

This is how I eat correctly when I have a urea boost?

The increase in urea is usually due to a certain diet, which is particularly prevalent in the western industrial nations. Besides meat consumption, the intake of too much alcohol and drinks containing fructose (fruit sugar) also play an important role. A correct diet when urea is elevated is therefore aimed above all at these risk factors.

Liquids should ideally be taken in the form of water and unsweetened tea. Ideally, you should avoid drinks containing fructose and alcohol completely. In addition, foods containing purine (especially meat such as liver) should be avoided.

A completely low-protein diet is not recommended. As the increase in urea is generally associated with over-nutrition and an overconsumption of food and energy, a calorie-reduced diet aimed at achieving a normal weight is generally recommended. The reduction of highly sugary drinks and foods is particularly helpful in this respect. Instead, the focus should be on complex carbohydrates (whole grain products) and a lot of fibre (grains, nuts, vegetables).