Uric Acid Symptoms

Uric acid is a waste product of the body that is found in the blood. It is a normal waste component of our body, but it can become concentrated or increase in the blood (Hyperuricemia), causing health problems such as gout, kidney stones, joint and tissue damage, etc.

What is Uric Acid?

Uric acid is a waste product found in the blood. It is produced when the body processes and breaks down chemicals known as purines. Uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, gets mixed with urine, and is expelled from the body. If uric acid remains in the body, its concentration can lead to a condition called hyperuricemia, which has the potential to cause damage to various body parts and organs.

Uric Acid levels in males and females

Uric acid is a normal component of blood, so there is always some amount of uric acid present. Persistently higher than-normal levels of uric acid can be a cause for concern in both men and women. High uric acid symptoms in females or males can also become lower than a certain amount, which may indicate a condition where uric acid is being expelled from the body in larger amounts than normal.

Uric acid levels are measured in milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL). The healthy and abnormal uric acid levels differ for men and women, as provided below.

Causes of Uric Acid

The accumulation of uric acid in the body can occur, although the exact reasons are not clear. There are certain risk factors that contribute to uric acid accumulation, such as diet and environmental factors. These risk factors may include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Diuretics
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain immunosuppressive medications

Dietary factors, such as foods and drinks that contain purines or can elevate purine levels, including red meats, some seafood, and alcohol, as well as a diet high in fructose, primarily found in processed foods and drinks, can lead to a higher concentration of uric acid in the body.

Uric acid has also been associated with certain medical conditions and treatments:

• Gout: Individuals suffering from gout, a condition that affects the joints, experience the accumulation of uric acid in these joints, resulting in symptoms such as swelling, pain, and discolouration.
• Kidney diseases: The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. In cases of kidney diseases, the filtration process is hindered, leading to the improper elimination of waste products, including uric acid. As a result, the level of uric acid in the blood rises.
• Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy, a treatment used for cancer, may kill both cancerous and healthy cells, releasing purines in the process. This can lead to uric acid increase symptoms.

Symptoms of high levels of Uric Acid

A person with a higher or lower concentration of uric acid than normal may or may not exhibit any symptoms. Sometimes symptoms may manifest after a significant period of time has passed and the normal levels of uric acid have been consistently exceeded. This can lead to health problems. Additionally, individuals may experience accompanying uric acid symptoms related to other health conditions such as gout and kidney diseases.

Symptoms associated with high uric acid levels causing gout may include:

• Painful or swollen joints
• Discolouration or shiny skin around the joints
• Joints feeling warm to the touch

Symptoms of kidney stones that may have been caused by uric acid may include:

• Pain in either side of the back
• Frequent urination
• Urine looks cloudy or contains blood or smells unusual
• Nausea or vomiting

Cases of low uric acid are less common than high uric acid. Low uric acid symptoms may include frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration.

When should I see the doctor?

As mentioned above, uric acid can cause painful symptoms such as gout or kidney stones. If you experience symptoms like back pain or joint inflammation, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Risk Factors of Uric Acid

Risk factors for elevated blood uric acid levels include:

• Excess Weight: People who are significantly overweight or obese have an increased likelihood of experiencing high uric acid levels.
• Dietary Habits: Regular consumption of purine-rich foods can contribute to elevated uric acid levels. These foods encompass red meat, organ meat, and certain seafood like scallops, mollusks, and tuna. Additionally, the consumption of foods and beverages sweetened with fructose syrup can also lead to heightened uric acid levels.
• Kidney Issues or Injury: Kidney damage can impair the kidney's ability to efficiently filter waste products, resulting in the accumulation of uric acid in the bloodstream.

How is high Uric Acid diagnosed?

When visiting the doctor, they may request your medical history and conduct specific tests. Symptoms of gout and kidney stones will be thoroughly evaluated. The doctor may also recommend a uric acid test to measure the amount of uric acid in the blood or urine. A joint aspiration may be performed, involving the removal of a small amount of fluid from a swollen joint to check for the presence of uric acid, indicating gout.

Cancer patients undergoing treatment may undergo regular monitoring as a first step to treat high uric acid. Symptoms related to uric acid may not often manifest. Individuals with uric acid issues may need to be tested every six months.

Treatment of high levels of Uric Acid

In the case of initial high uric acid symptoms, treatment may involve following a low-purine diet. It helps to decrease the purine concentration, thus decreasing uric acid levels. The doctor may advise restricting the intake of certain foods and beverages, such as alcohol, red meat, and shellfish.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended for reducing inflammation caused by gout. In some cases, specific medications can also help reduce inflammation.

Kidney stones may pass naturally or sometimes require medical intervention. The doctor may suggest increasing water intake and avoiding soft drinks and alcohol.

Conclusion

Abnormal uric acid levels are a common condition, but symptoms may not always be present. The treatment for this type of condition depends on whether it is causing high or low levels. For comprehensive treatment of abnormal uric acid levels and its associated conditions, visit CARE Hospitals.

FAQs

1. What happens if uric acid levels are high? 

High uric acid levels can lead to the accumulation of uric acid in various parts of the body, resulting in conditions like gout and kidney stones. These conditions can be appropriately treated with proper diagnosis.

2. What are the main causes of high uric acid? 

The exact causes of high uric acid levels are unknown, but there are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing problems associated with higher or lower uric acid levels than normal.

3. Which foods help remove uric acid? 

Eat fiber-rich food such as lentils, nuts, oats, quinoa, brown rice, etc. vitamin C foods such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, etc., and avoid alcohol. This might help you to regulate uric acid levels in the body. 

4. Which foods should be avoided for uric acid? 

To reduce uric acid concentration in the blood, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, processed foods and drinks, and reduce consumption of red meats.

5. At what age can uric acid start to increase? 

Uric acid levels can become higher or lower than normal at any age and can affect anyone.

6. How long can uric acid-related conditions last? 

Gout, caused by high uric acid, may resolve on its own within a few weeks. Kidney stones may also pass on their own, however, treatment may be required in some conditions.