Summer is here! Barbecue, beer, and crayfish—the “gout combo” is back…

In the sweltering summer heat,

it’s hard to resist a late-night treat.

Barbecue,ice-cold beer,and crayfish—

nothing hits the spot quite like that.

But here’s the catch:

this indulgent trio is also known as the“gout combo.”

After savoring those tasty crayfish,

you might also end up dealing with the excruciating pain of gout.



About Gout

here’s what people online have to say:

“Gout is maddening—when it hits,it drives you crazy.”

“A light breeze brushes my toes,the wind is gone,but the pain stays.”

“Gout pain is truly unbearable.”

...

In short,


gout pain can reach levels of 7 to 10,

making it almost impossible to tolerate.

Gout is an inflammatory condition caused by excess uric acid in the body.When purine metabolism is disrupted or uric acid is not excreted efficiently,urate crystals can form and deposit in the joints and surrounding tissues,triggering painful inflammation.


Under normal circumstances,blood uric acid levels should remain below 420μmol/L.Levels above this threshold warrant closer attention.

Data show that hyperuricemia in China is rising rapidly and affecting younger people.The overall prevalence is 13.3%,impacting an estimated 177 million individuals.The prevalence of gout is about 1.1%,affecting roughly 14.66 million people.Notably,nearly 60%of patients are between 18 and 35 years old,highlighting a clear trend toward younger onset.


Gout is a chronic metabolic disease involving immune and inflammatory responses.There is currently no cure,but symptoms can be effectively managed with timely and appropriate treatment.


Elevated uric acid is closely tied to metabolic dysfunction.Clinically,medications used to prevent gout and lower uric acid generally fall into two categories:drugs that inhibit uric acid production and those that promote uric acid excretion.However,many of these treatments have limited effectiveness and may cause side effects.As a result,some researchers have begun exploring hydrogen-oxygen inhalation as a potential supportive approach for gout management.

In 2015,a population-based study conducted by the PLA General Hospital in Beijing confirmed that hydrogen intake can reduce uric acid levels.In clinical practice,both physicians and patients have also reported uric acid–lowering effects from hydrogen-oxygen inhalation,providing supportive evidence for its potential role in gout management.These findings suggest that hydrogen-oxygen therapy may help regulate cellular metabolism,correct metabolic imbalances,and offer protective effects in conditions such as dyslipidemia,diabetes,and atherosclerosis.

A study supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and conducted by a research team from the Second Military Medical University found that inhalation of high-concentration hydrogen-oxygen gas(66.6%hydrogen,33.3%oxygen)improved kidney stones,reduced renal inflammation,and alleviated oxidative stress—effectively protecting kidney function,with no observed side effects[1].Improving kidney metabolic function is a key mechanism in relieving gout and hyperuricemia,as elevated uric acid can contribute not only to gout but also to kidney stone formation.

In 2017,Guangdong Medical Journal published a study on hydrogen therapy for gouty arthritis.The results showed that hydrogen intake significantly reduced joint swelling,lowered serum inflammatory cytokine levels,and markedly alleviated synovial inflammation in the affected ankle[2].

Furthermore,“hydrogen-oxygen mixed inhalation for pain relief”was officially included in the 14th batch of Appropriate Health Technology Promotion Projects in Shandong Province[3],further supporting the clinical application of hydrogen-oxygen therapy in pain management.


Gout Health Rhyme

Steer clear of high-purine foods—go easy on organ meats and seafood.

Drink at least two liters of water a day to help flush out uric acid.

Avoid beer and hard liquor;they can spike uric acid and harm your health.

Enjoy beans and mushrooms in moderation—a balanced diet matters most.

Skip fructose-sweetened drinks;even fruit should be eaten mindfully.

Keep milk and yogurt in your routine—low-fat dairy helps protect your health.

Moderate exercise to manage weight;inhaling hydrogen-oxygen may offer support.

Take medications as prescribed and test regularly;aim to keep uric acid around 360μmol/L.

Note:This mnemonic was generated by DeepSeek AI and is for reference only.

References:

[1]Peng Z,Chen W,Wang L,Ye Z,Gao S,Sun X,Guo Z.Inhalation of hydrogen gas ameliorates glyoxylate-induced calcium oxalate deposition and renal oxidative stress in mice.Int J Clin Exp Pathol.2015 Mar 1;8(3):2680-9.PMID:26045773;PMCID:PMC4440082.

[2]Zhao You,Fan Yanwei,Ma Guangbin,et al.Protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on gouty arthritis in rats[J].Guangdong Medical Journal,2017,38(5):3.DOI:10.13820/j.cnki.gdyx.20170320.010.

[3]Shandong Provincial Health Commission.Notice of Shandong Provincial Health Commission on Announcing the Fourteenth Batch of Suitable Health Technology Promotion Projects in Shandong Province[EB/OL].http://wsjkw.shandong.gov.cn/zwgk/fdzdgknr/tzwj/202212/t20221215_4193071.html,2022-12-15.