High uric acid causes joint pain, swelling, fatigue, unusual urination, muscle stiffness, skin problems, and mild fever, requiring early detection to prevent complications.

Gout patients need to monitor purine levels in their food, limit red meat and overly sweet fruits, and completely avoid alcoholic beverages and stimulants.

Uric acid crystals lead to gout, while the accumulation of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in cartilage causes calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

Tuan Thanh, a 33-year-old from Tay Ninh, once thought gout was a middle-aged person's ailment. So, when his ankle suddenly swelled at 25, he assumed it was a sprain from overuse.

Chronic gout can lead to serious problems such as joint deformity, kidney stones, and cardiovascular disease if left untreated.

Gout patients can drink one small coconut daily to help flush out uric acid, replenish electrolytes, and reduce inflammation. However, they should avoid drinking it at night to prevent nocturia.

A 67-year-old man, Hien, suffering from gout for 10 years, developed a widespread infection after undergoing a bloodletting procedure advertised as a "toxin removal" treatment.