Managing High Uric Acid Levels – A Effective Roadmap!

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Our body is equipped to balance the good and the bad – that which needs to be retained and that which needs to be expelled. The human body stores the required nutrients and promotes beneficial chemical reactions to produce favoring compounds. In the same process of reactions, there are unwanted compounds are produced as well. Fascinatingly, our body can maintain homeostasis by excreting and choosing only what is good for us.

Uric acid is one such naturally occurring compound in the body that is produced during the breakdown of purines (a compound that is part of our DNA). Purines can be found in certain foods and are also formed within the body. Under normal circumstances, the body can eliminate excess uric acid through the kidneys. At times, the body fails to maintain a healthy balance of uric acid levels. Thus, when uric acid levels become elevated, it can lead to a condition known as hyperuricemia. Let’s understand more about this condition, prevention, and management.

Persistent hyperuricemia can increase the risk of developing gout, kidney stones, and other health complications. Hyperuricemia is often asymptomatic; individuals may not experience any signs or symptoms. However, in some cases, hyperuricemia can lead to certain health conditions, such as gout and kidney stones, which may present with specific symptoms.

Here are the symptoms and methods of diagnosis for hyperuricemia:

Symptoms of Hyperuricemia:

Asymptomatic: In many cases, hyperuricemia does not cause any noticeable symptoms and is often detected incidentally during routine blood tests.

Symptoms of Gout (a condition caused by hyperuricemia): Gout – the formation and deposition of uric acid crystals which usually get stored in the joints of bone due to excess amounts in the blood.

• Acute Joint Pain: Gout is characterized by sudden and severe joint pain, typically affecting the big toe. However, it can also affect other joints such as the ankles, knees, fingers, and wrists. The pain is often described as sharp, intense, and unbearable. The deposition of the uric acid crystals often manifests as Tophi – a swollen, bulbous mass of crystals visible under the skin, usually the big toe joint and sometimes on the ears.
• Swelling and Redness: The affected joint(s) may become swollen, red, and tender to the touch.
• Warmth: The skin over the affected joint may feel warm.
• Limited Mobility: Due to pain and swelling, movement of the affected joint may be limited.
• Recurring Attacks: Gout can cause recurrent episodes of joint pain and inflammation

Symptoms of Kidney Stones (caused by uric acid crystals in the kidneys):