Hyperuricemia occurs when the blood has a high level of uric acid. Above-average uric acid levels can lead to several complications like gout and painful arthritis. High uric acid levels are also linked to other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, kidney illness, and diabetes.
Recent research found that 43.3 million Americans suffer from hyperuricemia and gout. This is the highest in the US population since the 1960 spike.
Although hyperuricemia is not a disease, elevated uric acid levels can cause several illnesses over time.
What causes hyperuricemia?
Uric acid is developed when there is a breakdown of purines in your body. Typically, purines come from foods like red meat, organ meat, seafood, and beans.
Hyperuricemia happens when your body either fails to excrete enough of the uric acid or produces too much of it. Commonly, hyperuricemia occurs when the kidney can no longer eliminate uric acid efficiently and immediately.
As a result, excess uric acids develop into crystal-like compounds. Even though these crystallines can form virtually anywhere in the body, they are primarily developed around joints and the kidneys. Naturally, your white blood cells will try to protect you from these foreign materials and will attack the crystals. Hence, there will be pain and inflammation because of the body’s response.
Understanding Hyperuricemia Symptoms and Causes
Hyperuricemia symptoms manifest when there’s an excessive buildup of uric acid in the blood. These symptoms often include joint pain, swelling, and tenderness, particularly in the big toe, ankles, knees, and wrists. Moreover, individuals might experience intense discomfort during movement or even at rest. Hyperuricemia occurs due to various factors such as the body producing too much uric acid, the kidneys inadequately filtering it out, or lifestyle contributors like a diet rich in purines. Understanding these symptoms and their underlying causes is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management of hyperuricemia to prevent the development of more severe conditions like gout or kidney stones.
How to treat hyperuricemia?
Effective hyperuricemia treatment hinges on identifying its cause. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia often necessitates no specific treatment. However, when hyperuricemia is associated with an underlying condition such as gout, kidney disease, or certain medications, addressing the root cause becomes imperative. Managing the underlying condition is pivotal in reducing uric acid levels and preventing complications. Tailored treatments aim to mitigate symptoms and prevent the recurrence of elevated uric acid, thereby ensuring improved overall health and quality of life.
Gout
One or more of the following medications are used to treat gout:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Probenecid
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
Kidney Stones
For kidney stones that are 5 millimeters in size, the doctor may advise the patient to drink plenty of water and take over-the-counter pain relievers until the stone passes. Meanwhile, if the kidney stones are bigger than 5 millimeters, prescription medicines like Tamsulosin (Flomax) may be needed.
In most complicated cases, if kidney stones are greater than 10 millimeters in size doctors recommend a surgical procedure called ureteroscopy to remove the stones.
Dietary Changes
A hyperuricemia diet can control your levels of uric acid to prevent further complications. It can lower your risk of developing other health risks such as gout, kidney stones, and joint damage.
Here are the foods you should AVOID when on a hyperuricemia-friendly diet:
- Red meat
- High-glucose foods and beverages
- Organ meat (liver)
- Seafood (anchovies, sardines, scallops, and mussels)
- Spinach, mushrooms, and peas
- Beans
- Oatmeal
- Alcoholic beverages
- Yeas supplements
A healthy and well-balanced diet and lifestyle are essential in managing uric acid levels in the blood. Following the medications, as prescribed by a health professional is vital in preventing the development of more chronic illnesses.