Does baking soda treat gout?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common drug for treating gout. It can achieve a good acid-base neutralization effect and prevent the crystallization and deposition of uric acid. We know that the deposition and crystallization of uric acid are important causes of gout. Therefore, when gout occurs, baking soda tablets can be used for treatment. You should also understand the precautions when taking the medicine. If you do not get good relief in seven days, you should consult a doctor.

Does baking soda treat gout?

Uric acid exists in urine in two forms: free and bound. The amount of uric acid in the two states depends on the acidity (pH value) of the urine.

Normal human urine is slightly acidic, with a pH of around 6. When the pH value of urine is 6.75, more than 90% of uric acid is in a free state; when the pH value drops to 4.75, more than 90% of uric acid appears in the urine in a bound state. This combined form of urate can be deposited in the renal parenchyma, blocking the urinary tract, or forming stones, impairing kidney function.

The gout diagnosis and treatment guidelines recommend that the urine pH of gout patients be maintained at 6.2~6.9, and not exceed 7.0, otherwise calcium salt stones are likely to occur.

It turns out that the purpose of taking sodium bicarbonate is not to lower uric acid, but to alkalize urine and maintain the urine pH value within the normal range, thereby avoiding the deposition or crystallization of uric acid.

Can I take it continuously for more than 7 days?

The indications for sodium bicarbonate in the instructions are: used to relieve stomach pain, heartburn, and acid reflux caused by excessive stomach acid. Moreover, the precautions clearly state: This product should not be used continuously for more than 7 days. If symptoms do not improve or disappear, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

That is to say, if you still have symptoms of excessive stomach acid after using it for 7 consecutive days, you should consult a doctor. It does not say that you must not use it for more than 7 days. More importantly, gout patients use sodium bicarbonate to alkalize urine and increase the solubility of urate.

Therefore, gout patients can generally take sodium bicarbonate for several days, not just 7 days, and the dosage needs to be adjusted according to the uric acid alkalinity and uric acid levels.

Should I take sodium bicarbonate for a long time?

How long gout patients need to take sodium bicarbonate depends on the pH of their urine. Try to maintain the urine pH at 6.2-6.9 to maximize the solubility of urate and prevent urate from depositing in the joints and kidneys.

However, it is worth noting that patients with heart failure, renal failure and hypertension need to use it with caution, as excessive sodium load may aggravate their condition. They should take it according to the advice of a specialist and should not use it for a long time on their own.