Uric Acid - Level, Symptoms, Causes, Risks & Treatment
What is Uric Acid?
Uric acid is a metabolic waste product found in the blood. It is a normal waste component of our bodies, but it can become concentrated or increase in the blood (Hyperuricemia), resulting in health issues such as gout, kidney stones, joint and tissue damage, and so on.
High uric acid can become the cause of many serious diseases, and timely identification of symptoms is most important.
Uric Acid Causes
The accumulation of uric acid in the body is possible, although the specific cause is unknown. Certain risk factors, such as nutrition and environmental variables, contribute to uric acid buildup. Among these risk factors are:
- Blood pressure that is too high
- Diabetes
- Syndrome of Metabolic Syndrome
- Diuretics
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Certain immunosuppressive drugs
Uric Acid Risk Factors
The following are risk factors for increased blood uric acid levels:
- Excess Weight: People who are severely overweight or obese are more likely to have elevated uric acid levels.
- Dietary Habits: Consumption of purine-rich meals on a regular basis can contribute to high uric acid levels. These foods include red meat, organ meat, and seafood such as scallops, mollusks, and tuna. Consumption of foods and beverages sweetened with fructose syrup can also result in elevated uric acid levels.
- Kidney Problems or Injury: Kidney injury can decrease the kidney's ability to filter waste materials adequately, resulting in uric acid buildup in the circulation.
How is high Uric Acid determined?
When you go to the doctor, they may ask about your medical history and do certain tests. Gout and kidney stone symptoms will be extensively investigated. A uric acid test may also be recommended by the doctor to determine the level of uric acid in the blood or urine. A joint aspiration, which involves removing a small amount of fluid from a swollen joint to test for the presence of uric acid, which indicates gout, may be performed.
As a first step in treating excessive uric acid in cancer patients, routine monitoring may be performed. Uric acid symptoms are not always noticeable. People who have uric acid problems may need to be tested every six months.
Uric Acid: High uric acid levels can have major consequences for the health. A study found that more than 30% of people with diabetes, hypertension, or both are at risk of having elevated uric acid levels. Which can lead to a variety of ailments. To minimize all of these risks, early identification of elevated uric acid and adequate therapy are critical.
Increasing the quantity of uric acid in a person's blood can have serious consequences for their health. This is a rather frequent disorder known as hyperuricemia. Many times, individuals are unaware of this sickness, which makes it difficult to detect; thus, you should be aware of its signs so that it can be treated on time.
How common this problem?
According to studies, hyperuricemia is becoming a growing problem in India. Its prevalence percentage varies across India, reaching as high as 47.2% in some locations. High uric acid levels are more common in some groups, such as men and the elderly. Increased uric acid levels in the blood can be caused by kidney, gastrointestinal, and hormone-related illnesses that disturb the body's normal uric acid elimination process.
Hyperuricemia Identification
High uric acid levels can cause significant joint pain, soreness, redness, or swelling in certain persons. When uric acid levels are excessive, kidney stones can form, causing symptoms such as lower back or stomach pain, nausea, difficulty urinating, or pain on one or both sides. However, over 60% of persons with hyperuricemia have no symptoms. As a result, many patients continue to go undetected. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia, on the other hand, is a risk factor for heart disease.
You are more likely to develop this illness if you are male, older, obese or have a high body mass index, or consume a lot of red meat, shellfish, alcohol, or sugar. People who have hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, renal illness, hyperlipidemia, or hypothyroidism are also more vulnerable.
High uric acid levels pose a risk
According to research, elevated uric acid levels increase the chance of developing cardiovascular problems. Hyperuricemia is more common in people who have hypertension, a stroke, or coronary artery disease. According to research, high uric acid levels can induce insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
High uric acid prevention
Making simple lifestyle modifications can also help to prevent hyperuricemia and associated effects. These adjustments include daily exercise, body weight control, limiting red meat, fish, and alcohol consumption, consuming low-fat dairy products, eating foods high in vitamin C, and eating more plant proteins, nuts, and legumes. These include avoiding fructose-containing corn syrup (a form of sugar) and sugary beverages. If people feel they have hyperuricemia, they should consult a doctor.
Question and Answers
What happens if my uric acid levels are too high?
High uric acid levels can cause uric acid to build up in numerous regions of the body, resulting in illnesses such as gout and kidney stones. With accurate diagnosis, many disorders can be treated effectively.
What are the most common causes of elevated uric acid?
Although the specific causes of high uric acid levels are unknown, there are various risk factors that enhance the possibility of having problems associated with higher or lower than normal uric acid levels.
Which foods should you avoid if you have uric acid?
To lower uric acid levels in the blood, avoid alcohol, processed foods and drinks, and limit your intake of red meat.
Which meals aid in the removal of uric acid?
Consume fiber-rich foods such as lentils, almonds, oats, quinoa, brown rice, and so on, as well as vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, and so on, and avoid alcohol. This may aid in the regulation of uric acid levels in the body.
At what age does uric acid begin to rise?
Uric acid levels can become abnormally high or low at any age and can damage anyone.