Have you ever woken up in the morning with unbearable pain, swelling, and redness, especially in the big toe? Or have you occasionally had severe pain in your back or side of your stomach, and difficulty urinating? The reason for these things may be an increase in the level of "uric acid" in your body. In medicine, we call this condition hyperuricemia. So today we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia is when you have too much uric acid in your blood. Now you're probably wondering, "What is this uric acid?"
Simply put, uric acid is a waste product that our bodies produce. Some of the foods we eat contain chemicals called purines. When our bodies break down these purines, uric acid is produced as a byproduct. Normally, this uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine. That's a healthy process.
However, if for some reason the body produces too much uric acid, or if the kidneys are unable to remove it properly, the level of uric acid in the blood gradually increases. This is what we call hyperuricemia.
Think about it, just like when you put a lot of sugar in a glass of water, it doesn't dissolve and stays at the bottom. When uric acid levels increase in the blood, it doesn't dissolve and turns into small, sharp, thorn-like crystals.
These thorn-like crystals are what cause all the problems. They deposit in our joints, especially in places like the big toe, knee, and ankle, causing a painful arthritis condition called gout . These crystals can also accumulate in the kidneys and cause kidney stones .
The best thing is that this condition can be managed and treated. You may be able to control it by making some changes to your diet and increasing your water intake. For some people, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower uric acid or control symptoms.
What happens to the body when uric acid increases?
Most of the time, you may not notice anything even if your blood uric acid levels are slightly elevated. That's why many people don't even know they have this condition. But if your uric acid levels remain high for a long time, it can cause pain and other symptoms. It can also damage various parts of the body.
If left untreated for a long time, it can cause permanent damage to the following:
- Bone
- Joints
- Tendons
- Ligaments
Not only that, research has found a link between elevated uric acid levels and several other health problems. These include:
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Fatty liver disease
- Metabolic syndrome
What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?
As we mentioned earlier, hyperuricemia itself does not have specific symptoms. Most people only find out about it when they develop gout or kidney stones. So let's take a look at the symptoms of those two conditions.
| Medical condition | Commonly shown symptoms |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of Gout | |
| Joint pain | A sudden, unbearable pain that can be especially severe at night. |
| Swelling and redness | The painful joint is swollen and red. |
| Warmth | Feeling a heat sensation when touching the joint, like it's "on fire." |
| Stiffness and sensitivity to touch | Difficulty bending and unbending the joint. Excruciating pain even when touching the bedsheet. |
| Symptoms of Kidney Stones | |
| Pain | Severe pain in the lower back or side of the abdomen. |
| Vomiting and nausea | Nausea and vomiting due to the severity of the pain. |
| Urinary problems | Blood in the urine, pain when urinating, frequent need to urinate, inability to urinate. |
| Other features | Fever or chills. Urine that has a foul odor or a dark color. |
Why do uric acid levels rise?
As we discussed earlier, the main cause is the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. There are several factors that affect this.
1. Eating foods high in purines
Purines are a chemical that is naturally present in our bodies and are also found in high amounts in some of the foods we eat. When these are eaten frequently and in large quantities, the amount of uric acid produced in the body increases.
Foods high in purines:
- Red meat: such as beef, goat meat, pork.
- Organ meats such as animal liver and kidneys.
- Some seafood: especially fish like salmon, shrimp, lobster, sardines, and mackerel.
- Foods and drinks containing High Fructose Corn Syrup: Sweetened beverages (soda).
- Alcohol: Especially beer (including non-alcoholic beer).
2. Some medications
Uric acid levels can also increase as a side effect of some medications you take for other medical conditions.
- Diuretics: Medicines that help remove excess water and salt from the body. Some people also call these "water pills."
- Immunosuppressants.
Who is most at risk of developing this condition?
Although anyone can develop hyperuricemia, some people are more prone to it.
- Men are at greater risk than women.
- For those who are overweight (obese).
- For those who drink alcohol frequently.
- For those who regularly eat foods high in purines.
- If anyone in the family has hyperuricemia or gout .
- For those with hypothyroidism.
How do I find out exactly if this is there?
This is very simple. Your doctor will order a blood test to measure the level of uric acid in your blood. This will give you a very clear picture of your uric acid levels.
If you have a kidney stone and it passes out with your urine or is removed through surgery, testing the stone can determine if it is made of uric acid.
Does high uric acid necessarily lead to gout ?
No. Not everyone who has high uric acid levels will develop gout . To confirm whether you have gout , your doctor will take a small needle from the painful joint and examine it under a microscope to see if there are uric acid crystals in it.
In addition, you can also use things like these to check your joints:
- Ultrasound scan
- CT scan
- X-rays
What are the treatments for hyperuricemia?
If your blood uric acid levels are high, but you don't have any symptoms (such as gout or kidney stones), you may not need any treatment. Your doctor will tell you to check your blood periodically to monitor your uric acid levels.
How to control your eating and drinking?
The best and most important way to lower uric acid levels is to limit your intake of purine-rich foods and drinks as much as possible. Try to reduce your intake of the following:
- Red meat and parts like liver
- Alcohol (especially beer)
- Sweet drinks
- Seafood like shrimp and lobster
Following a low-purine diet can help lower uric acid levels. It's best to talk to your doctor to develop a healthy eating plan that's right for you.
What types of drugs are used?
The type of medication you need depends on how high your uric acid levels are and whether you have problems like gout or kidney stones.
- Gout treatment: Your doctor may prescribe medications such as NSAIDs to reduce pain during gout symptoms, colchicine to prevent gout attacks , and corticosteroids to reduce swelling.
- Kidney stone treatment: If kidney stones form, they can pass through the urine. It is important to drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least 2 liters (8 glasses) of water a day. Sometimes, your doctor will prescribe medication that relaxes the muscles in your urinary tract and helps the stones pass more easily. If the stone is large, blocking your urethra, or causing an infection, it may need to be removed surgically.
How to protect yourself from this situation and take care of yourself?
The best way to prevent hyperuricemia is to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan that suits you. Limiting foods and drinks high in purines can not only help control uric acid levels, but also keep your overall health in good shape.
Remember, it's also very important to control your body weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce uric acid levels.
Even if you have this condition, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing gout- like symptoms in the future by making some changes to your diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting some exercise.
When should we see a doctor?
If you develop any new symptoms, especially any of the following, be sure to see your doctor.
- Swelling, redness, or severe pain in a joint.
- If you feel heat when you touch a joint.
- If you have difficulty urinating.
- If there is pain when urinating.
- If you have severe pain in your back or side of your stomach.
When you see your doctor, don't hesitate to ask these questions:
- How high is my uric acid level?
- Do I need treatment?
- What kind of diet should I follow?
- Will I need any medications?
Take-Home Message
- Hyperuricemia is an increase in uric acid levels in the blood. It often has no specific symptoms.
- This condition can cause painful joint inflammation called gout and kidney stones.
- You can control uric acid levels by limiting purine-rich foods such as red meat, some seafood, and alcohol.
- If you experience symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, redness, or difficulty urinating, seek medical advice immediately.
- Never self-medicate. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
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