Gout and high cholesterol are often considered health problems that primarily affect men. However, women are also at risk of developing both conditions, especially as they reach a certain age or have certain risk factors.
Hormonal changes, diet, and lifestyle can affect uric acid and cholesterol levels in the body. If not properly managed, these conditions can increase the risk of various health problems, from joint pain to heart and blood vessel disease.
Therefore, it is important for women to understand how this condition can occur and recognize the signs that may appear.
Why Can Women Experience Gout and High Cholesterol?
In women of childbearing age, the hormone estrogen helps the body excrete uric acid through the kidneys, thus maintaining more controlled blood levels. This makes the risk of gout in young women relatively lower than in men.
However, after menopause, estrogen levels decrease. These changes can affect fat metabolism and the body's ability to excrete uric acid, increasing the risk of elevated uric acid and cholesterol levels.
Apart from hormonal factors, several other things can also increase the risk, namely:
1. Diet and lifestyle
Excessive consumption of foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and purines can trigger increased cholesterol and uric acid levels. Lack of physical activity can also worsen these conditions.
2. Genetic factors and certain medical conditions
A family history of high cholesterol or gout can increase the risk. Additionally, conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disorders may also play a role.
Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels You Need to Know
|
Inspection |
Normal Level |
|
Gout in women |
1.5 – 6.0 mg/dL |
|
Cholesterol in < 19 years |
< 170 mg/dL |
|
Cholesterol in women ≥ 20 years |
125 – 200 mg/dL |
If uric acid levels exceed 6.0 mg/dL, the risk of developing joint disorders or gout can increase. Meanwhile, cholesterol levels are considered high if they are above 200 mg/dL in people under 19 years of age or above 239 mg/dL in people 20 years of age and older.
Uric acid and cholesterol levels can be checked through a simple blood test in a laboratory or health facility.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
The symptoms that appear in gout and high cholesterol can be different.
1. Symptoms of Gout
Gout usually causes joint discomfort, especially during gout attacks. Some common symptoms include:
- Sudden joint pain, often in the feet, knees, or fingers
- Joints are swollen, red, and feel warm
- Pain attacks that can recur and interfere with activities
2. High Cholesterol
Unlike gout, high cholesterol often doesn't cause obvious symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, this condition is often referred to as a silent disease.
Complaints usually appear after a disturbance in the blood vessels, for example chest pain due to narrowing of the heart blood vessels or the appearance of xanthoma, which is a yellowish accumulation of fat under the skin, such as around the eyes, elbows, or knees.
Because it often goes unnoticed, regular health checks are very important to find out cholesterol levels early.
How to Prevent Gout and High Cholesterol
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important step in helping control uric acid and cholesterol levels in the body. Some steps you can take include:
- Limit foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and purines
- Increase consumption of vegetables, fruit and fibrous foods
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain ideal body weight and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Have regular health checks
The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups
Both uric acid and high cholesterol can increase the risk of complications if not properly managed. Therefore, regular health check-ups are highly recommended, especially for individuals with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or those over 45.
Through proper health checks, doctors can help evaluate the body's condition and provide treatment that suits each patient's individual needs.
EMC Hospital provides consultations and health screenings to help detect and manage various metabolic and vascular conditions. With appropriate examinations and early treatment, the risk of complications can be reduced, thereby maintaining health and quality of life.
The article was written by Dr. Angie Shabira Permata H, Sp.PD (Internal Medicine Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).