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On a summer evening, the air is hot and humid. Liu Yingru dragged her tired body into the house, frowning as she took off her shoes. A dull pain began to grow in the thumb joint of her right foot again, as if an invisible hammer was striking there.
Liu Yingru sighed, thinking that this might be the sequelae of busy work. As a senior nurse, she has long been accustomed to standing and walking around for long periods of time. Recently, however, the pain seems to have become more frequent and has even begun to affect her daily life.
Liu Yingru sat on the sofa and carefully examined her feet. In addition to the pain, she noticed some slight swelling and redness at the thumb joint of her right foot.
The symptoms reminded her of a recent case she had encountered in the hospital. It was a middle-aged man who came to the clinic with severe joint pain. After examination, doctors diagnosed him with gout, a condition associated with high uric acid levels.
Ms. Liu began to recall the doctor's explanation. He mentions that when uric acid levels in the body are too high, sharp crystals can form around the joints, leading to pain and inflammation. And the feet, especially the thumb joints, tend to be one of the most susceptible areas.
This realization made Liu Yingru feel a little uneasy. She began to wonder if she might also have hyperuricemia. As a healthcare worker, she understands the importance of early detection and treatment. However, like many people, she has a habit of delaying medical treatment, always putting work and the needs of others ahead of her own health.
With this doubt in mind, Liu Yingru decided to delve into the other symptoms of hyperuricemia. She turned on her computer and began searching for information. Soon, she discovered that in addition to joint pain, there were two other important signs to be concerned about.
The first sign is an abnormality in the skin. High uric acid levels can lead to the formation of small, hard nodules under the skin, medically known as "tophi." These nodules usually appear around the ears, fingers, toes, or elbows. Liu Yingru examined her body carefully, and although she found no obvious nodules, she noticed that the skin on her toes seemed to be drier and rougher than before.
The second sign is a change in kidney function. High uric acid levels can lead to the formation of kidney stones, affecting the normal function of the kidneys. Although Liu Yingru did not have obvious symptoms of kidney discomfort, she recalled that she did have some mild lower back pain recently. This soreness could have been easily attributed to work fatigue, but now it seems that there may be other causes.
These discoveries made Liu Yingru fall into deep thought. She thinks of patients in the hospital who are getting worse because they ignore early symptoms. As a nurse, she has advised her patients countless times to take their health seriously, but now she realizes that she has made the same mistake.
Liu Yingru decided to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination the next day. She knows that high uricemia, while common, is not unpreventable and untreatable. With proper dietary modifications, changes in exercise habits, and necessary medications, uric acid levels can be completely controlled and more serious complications can be avoided.
Early the next morning, Liu Yingru came to the hospital. Her colleague, Dr. Zhang, did a detailed examination and laboratory tests for her. When the results came in, Dr. Zhang's expression became serious.
"Yingru, your uric acid level is indeed on the high side," Dr. Zhang said, "although it has not yet met the diagnostic criteria for gout, it is already on the verge." If left untreated, it is likely to develop gout. "
Although this result was expected, it still made Liu Yingru feel a burst of heart palpitations. She thought of the patients who were suffering from gout, some of whom were unable to walk normally.
Dr Teo continues, "Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder that can be caused by a variety of factors. Genetics, poor diet, obesity, certain diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes can all contribute to elevated uric acid levels. "
Liu Yingru recalls her lifestyle in recent years. As a busy nurse, she often neglects to eat regularly, sometimes choosing foods high in purines for a quick boost of energy. Working overtime and staying up late is commonplace, and sports are put aside because there is no time.
Dr. Zhang gives a series of advice: "First, we need to adjust your diet. Reduce the intake of high-purine foods, such as animal offal, seafood, etc. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and stay hydrated. Secondly, it is necessary to control the weight and increase moderate exercise. Finally, I will prescribe some medications to help lower uric acid levels. "
Liu Yingru carefully jotted down these suggestions. She knows that it is not easy to change long-established habits, but for the sake of health, these changes are necessary.
In the months that followed, Liu Yingru began her own "health revolution". She adjusted her working hours to ensure that she had enough sleep every day. She started swimming regularly every week, which not only helped her stay in shape, but also relieved the fatigue of standing for a long time. In terms of diet, she drastically reduced her meat intake and increased the proportion of vegetables and fruits. She also made it a habit to drink 2 liters of water a day to help her body flush out excess uric acid.
These changes have not been without their challenges. Liu Yingru has almost given up many times because of work pressure. But every time she saw the symptoms on her feet subside, she found the motivation to keep going.
Three months later, Liu Yingru came to the hospital again for examination. When she saw the data on the test sheet, she couldn't help but smile with relief. Her uric acid levels have dropped to the normal range, and the pain and swelling in her feet have almost disappeared.
Dr. Zhang was also happy for her: "Yingru, you are doing a great job. This result proves that as long as we identify the problem in time and take the right approach, we can effectively control hyperuricemia. However, you also need to continue to maintain this healthy lifestyle. "
Liu Yingru nodded, she knew that this was not a short-term battle, but a lifelong health management. This experience not only improved her physical condition, but also gave her a new perspective on her work. She decided to share her experience with more people in the hope of raising awareness of high uricemia.
In her later work, whenever Liu Yingru encounters patients with similar symptoms, she will pay special attention. Not only does she take a closer look at the patient's feet, but she also asks them about their eating habits and lifestyle. Her experience has made her more empathetic to her patients' feelings and more convincing in explaining to them the importance of early intervention.
Liu Yingru's story reminds us that health is a process that requires constant attention and management. Subtle changes in your feet can be an important alarm from your body that we should not ignore. Only by discovering problems in time and taking the right measures can we avoid small lesions and major diseases. At the same time, the story also highlights the importance of prevention. Through a healthy lifestyle, we can effectively reduce the risk of disease and maintain a healthy balance in our body.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only, and the medical knowledge described is true and well-founded, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health problems, please consult a doctor or other
Bibliography:
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