It sounds like a technical term, but high uric acid is a condition that affects people, putting them in a huge deal of distress. Let us see what the condition is, what to do to handle it, and much more in the following article.
What Is Uric Acid?
In simple terms, it’s the waste product formed when the body breaks down purines present in some foods and a few naturally produced within your body. It gets dissolved in your blood and excreted into the urine.
In some cases, the excessive production of uric acid causes the kidneys to fail to remove it. This piles up, and the acid levels spike in your blood, causing a condition known as hyperuricemia. This is the time when it causes trouble.
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Uric Acid And Gout
Gout is regarded as the most common or encountered consequence of having high uric acid. Do you know what gout is? It is a type of arthritis that causes quick and painful joint attacks, probably in the big toe.
Beyond Gout: The Sneaky Symptoms
Gout is the outer layer of the condition; other symptoms that probably cause the spike in uric acid include:
- Joint Pain: Far from severe pain but still painful, a mild peak amount of uric acid in the blood causes joint pains often.
- Joint Stiffness: Right after you wake up, rest, or try to move after hours of inactivity, you feel the joints are stiff or find it difficult to move.
- Tendonitis: High uric acid can cause inflammation in the tendons, leading to conditions like Achilles tendonitis or rotator cuff tendonitis.
- Kidney Stones: The acid crystalizes in your kidney, forming tiny rocks that cause major pain and discomfort while peeing and when not as well. This later requires surgery or treatment to take care of.
- Top of the Foot Pain: Although this is less likely to happen, it also means to monitor or take the sign into account. High uric acid causes pain on the tip of the foot, making it difficult to wear shoes or to walk.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: Over time, the excess amount of acid contributes to huge trouble in the kidney if it is left untreated. This results in the development of chronic kidney disease.
These are also signs, but they are something you can take care of or control to some extent.
The Factors Influencing Uric Acid
The factors that contribute to the issue include:
- The Trouble with Diet: What you eat matters as for any disease or condition, and what we eat plays a major role. Few of the foods contain high purines, like red meat, organ meats, seafood, and some alcoholic beverages, including beer; avoiding them could be a massive help.
- Dehydration: Not consuming sufficient water could trouble you with several diseases, which help the uric acid get dried and crystallize, so stay hydrated.
- Medications: In some cases, you might need the aid of medications if you face gout or encounter kidney stones. This lowers the uric acid levels, and do take them at the right amount and time as per the expert’s instructions.
- Weight Matters: Not to offend, but cutting excess weight could be handy and healthy and protect you from several risks. High weight is also equal to a high chance of having peak uric acid levels within one’s body. Losing weight will reduce the chances and avoid several associated issues.
- Moderation and Balance: It is heavily recommended to balance the diet, staying hydrated, exercising, and losing weight together to go a long way in preventing and managing this.
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Last but not least, in case of any queries or concerns, definitely visit a professional healthcare provider. They diagnose, monitor, and share necessary guidance on managing or preventing high uric acid. They will also suggest if you need to undergo any treatment as well.
Conclusion
In short, high uric acid is a painful condition that almost anyone wants to avoid. With a range of symptoms, from joint pains to kidney stones, it is important to watch your diet while staying hydrated and exercising. Make sure to visit a healthcare provider in case you spot any signs or if you’re concerned. Balance everything in your day-to-day life to leave a safe and healthy life ahead.
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