Do you sometimes get joint pain? Or did the doctor say that your uric acid level is a little high in a recent blood test? It's normal to feel a little nervous when you hear something like that. But don't worry, this is a condition that many people have. Today, let's talk about the increase in uric acid in the body, which is medically known as hyperuricemia.
Simply put, what is hyperuricemia?
Very simple. `(Hyperuricemia)` means that your body, that is, your blood, has more than the required amount of a chemical called `(Uric Acid)`. Now you are wondering what this `(Uric Acid)` is.
Some of the foods we eat and drink contain a chemical compound called `(Purines)`. When these purines break down inside our bodies, uric acid `(Uric Acid)` is formed. This is actually a waste product that is formed in our bodies. Normally, most of this uric acid `(Uric Acid)` that is formed dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys and is excreted in the urine. However, if for some reason, an excess amount of uric acid `(Uric Acid)` remains in the body instead of being excreted, that is what we call `(Hyperuricemia)`.
When uric acid increases in this way, it starts to accumulate in the form of crystals, which are like small sharp thorns. If these crystals are deposited in your joints, you may have heard of a disease called "gout". It is a very painful type of arthritis. Or these crystals can be deposited in the kidneys and cause kidney stones.
But the good news is that this condition called `(Hyperuricemia)` is very manageable. You may need to make some changes to your daily life, for example, being more careful about what you eat and drink, and drinking more water. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe medication to lower your uric acid levels.
How common is this condition?
It's more common than you think. It's estimated that one in five people have hyperuricemia. In the United States, about 5% of the population has gout. Men are four times more likely to develop gout than women. So, if you find out you have this condition, remember that you're not alone.
How does this affect your body?
If your uric acid levels are only slightly elevated, you may not notice any difference. But when uric acid builds up in your blood over time, it can cause pain and other symptoms. Not only that, it can also damage various parts of your body.
If not treated properly, over time, your bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments can become permanently damaged.
Not only that, research has found a link between elevated uric acid levels and several other health problems. Some of them are:
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes `(Diabetes Mellitus)`
- Fatty liver disease
- Metabolic syndrome
So you see, this is not just a small thing, it is a matter of concern.
What are the symptoms of this?
Most of the time, hyperuricemia does not cause any symptoms. Most people only notice it when they experience joint pain due to gout or pain due to kidney stones.
Symptoms of gout in a joint:
- A very severe pain: unbearable pain, like being stabbed with a needle or a knife.
- Skin discoloration or redness: The painful joint may become red and may even turn blue.
- The joint becomes stiff: it becomes difficult to move.
- Swelling: The joint is very swollen.
- Hypersensitivity to touch: Even touching the bedsheet can cause unbearable pain.
- Warmth: The junction feels hot to the touch, as if it were "on fire."
Symptoms caused by kidney stones:
- Pain in the lower back or side: This is a very severe, throbbing pain.
- Nausea or vomiting due to pain: The pain may be severe and cause nausea.
- Fever or chills.
- Blood in your pee: Urine may turn red or orange.
- Pain when urinating.
- Inability to urinate.
- Feeling the need to urinate frequently.
- Urine that smells bad or is dark in color.
If you have symptoms like these, you should definitely see a doctor, right?
What causes this?
As mentioned earlier, the main cause of hyperuricemia is the accumulation of excess uric acid in the blood.
When our bodies break down purines, they produce uric acid. Purines are naturally occurring substances and are not harmful in small amounts. However, if we regularly eat and drink foods high in purines, our uric acid levels can increase over time.
Some foods and drinks that are high in purines:
- Red meat: like beef, goat meat, and pork.
- Organ meats, such as liver and kidneys .
- Seafood:Especially salmon, shrimp, lobster, sardines, and dried fish.
- High fructose corn syrup: This is found in many sweetened beverages.
- Alcohol: Especially beer (including non-alcoholic beer).
Also, some medications can increase uric acid levels as a side effect. For example:
- Diuretics (some people also call these "water pills")
- Immunosuppressants
Who is more likely to develop this? (Risk factors)
Anyone can develop hyperuricemia. However, some people are more likely to develop this condition. They are:
- Men.
- People with obesity.
- People who drink alcohol frequently.
- People who frequently eat foods high in purines.
- People with a family history of hyperuricemia or gout.
- People with low thyroid function (Hypothyroidism) .
How do you find this? (Diagnosis)
A doctor will determine whether you have hyperuricemia by performing a blood test to measure the level of uric acid in your blood.
If you have a kidney stone, whether it's passed or removed through surgery, you can also have the stone examined.
Does high uric acid levels necessarily mean you have gout?
No. Just because your uric acid levels are high doesn't mean you have gout. To find out for sure if you have gout, a doctor will take a sample of fluid from your joint when you have symptoms of gout and look for uric acid crystals in it. They can also use the following to check your joints:
- Ultrasound scan `(Ultrasound)`
- CT scan (CT scan / Computed Tomography scan)
- X-rays
What are the treatments?
If your uric acid levels are elevated but you have no symptoms, you may not need any special treatment for hyperuricemia. However, your doctor will tell you how often you should have your blood tested to check your uric acid levels.
How can you control this with food and drink?
One of the best ways to lower uric acid levels is to limit your intake of foods high in purines. Try to reduce your intake of these foods:
- Things like red meat and liver.
- Alcohol.
- High fructose sweetened beverages (like soda).
- Fish (especially shellfish like lobster and shrimp).
Low-purine dietFollowing these steps will help lower your uric acid levels. Talk to your doctor to find out exactly what foods you need to cut down on. He/she will also help you create a healthy diet and exercise plan that suits you. For example, foods that are often added to our diet, such as lentils and green beans, also contain some purines, so it is a good idea to consult your doctor about that as well.
What medications are used for this?
The type of medication you need will depend on how high your uric acid levels are. If you have gout or kidney stones, you may need specific medication for those conditions.
A doctor may prescribe medication to help your kidneys remove extra uric acid, or to help dissolve uric acid crystals that have already formed in your body.
Gout treatment
Gout is usually treated with a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (as prescribed by your doctor) and medications to lower uric acid levels when symptoms occur. You may also need colchicine (a medicine that prevents gout attacks ) or corticosteroids (medicines that reduce inflammation).
Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stones can sometimes pass out in the urine over time. It 's important to drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least 64 ounces (about 2 liters) of water a day.
A doctor can prescribe medication to relax the muscles in your ureter (the tube that carries urine from your kidneys to your bladder) and help the stone pass through.
If a kidney stone is too large to pass, is blocking the flow of urine, or is causing an infection, it may need to be removed surgically.
How do you avoid this? (Prevention)
The best way to avoid hyperuricemia is to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan that suits you. Limiting your intake of foods and drinks high in purines will not only help keep your uric acid levels low, but it will also help maintain your overall health.
Remember, it's important to drink plenty of water regularly. Also, controlling your weight can help control uric acid levels.
Talk to your doctor about exactly what foods you need to cut down on, and how much purine-rich foods you can safely consume.
What should you expect if you are in this situation / How do you take care of yourself?
If you have hyperuricemia, expect to have your uric acid levels monitored regularly with blood tests. Some people's uric acid levels may only be temporarily elevated.
You may need to make some changes to your diet and daily habits to reduce the level of uric acid in your blood.
If you have gout, kidney stones, or other symptoms, your doctor will tell you what to expect and what treatment is needed.
By following a healthy diet and exercise plan, you can maintain a healthy weight and reduce your uric acid levels. Even if you have hyperuricemia, making some dietary changes, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise can help reduce your risk of future gout attacks and other symptoms.
When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor if you develop any of these new symptoms:
- Swelling.
- Skin discoloration or redness.
- A joint feels hot or "on fire."
- Difficulty urinating.
- Pain when urinating.
- Pain after urinating.
If you have any of these things, it is best to seek medical advice without delay.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, you can ask questions like these:
- How high is my uric acid level?
- Will I need treatment?
- What kind of low-purine diet should I follow?
- Will I need any medications?
You may not even know you have hyperuricemia until you experience pain from gout or a kidney stone. Making a few small changes to your diet and exercise habits can help lower your uric acid levels, prevent future symptoms, and improve your overall health.
Final Take-Home Message
So, an increase in uric acid levels, or hyperuricemia, is a condition that needs attention.
- Proper diet control: Limit foods high in purines, such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity is a major factor affecting this.
- Regular exercise: Exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle.
- Follow medical advice: If you develop symptoms or find that your uric acid levels are high, see a doctor for appropriate treatment and advice.
If you take care of these things, you too can control your uric acid levels, protect yourself from complications like gout and kidney stones, and live a healthy life.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is Hyperuricemia a sign of kidney damage?
No. This is not kidney failure. This is the name given to the fact that when the kidneys are unable to properly filter and remove a chemical called 'uric acid' that is produced in our bodies (and comes from food), it accumulates in the blood and reaches levels much higher than normal.
💬 What happens when uric acid increases in the blood?
When uric acid levels increase, they form crystals and deposit in our joints, especially in the big toe. Then the toe suddenly becomes very swollen and red, causing unbearable pain (gout). These crystals can also deposit in the kidneys and form kidney stones.
💬 Is it enough to just control your diet to avoid this?
If the condition is normal, it can be controlled to a large extent by stopping eating things like red meat, seafood, and alcohol (which are high in purines). However, if you have gout attacks and stones, you should definitely see a doctor and take uric acid-dissolving medication (like Allopurinol) every day.
` Hyperuricemia, Uric Acid, Gout, Kidney Stones, Purines, Diet, Joint Pain,
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