Uric acid

 

What is the highest level of uric acid? Uric acid is a waste product found in the blood. It is caused when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood pass through the kidneys and leaves the body in the urine. Foods and drinks high in purines also increase uric acid levels. These include Seafood (especially salmon, shrimp, lobster, and sardines), red meat, and organ meat such as the liver. Foods and beverages with high fructose corn syrup, and alcohol (especially beer, including non-alcoholic beers). If too much uric acid stays in the body, a condition called hyperuricemia will occur. Hyperuricemia can cause uric acid crystals (or urate) to form. These crystals can stay in the joints and cause gout, a type of arthritis that can be very painful. He can also stay in the kidneys and build kidney stones. Left untreated, high levels of uric acid can eventually lead to permanent damage to bones, joints, kidney disease, and heart disease. Studies have shown a link between high uric acid levels and type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease. How do get high uric acid and gout? A blood sample is taken and tested to determine uric acid level. If you pass a kidney stone or undergo surgery, the stone itself may be tested to see if it is uric acid or a stone of any kind. Getting high blood uric acid is NOT the same as diagnosing gouty arthritis. To diagnose direct gout, uric acid crystals should be detected in a fluid taken from an inflamed joint or seen with a special image of bones and joints (ultrasound, X-ray, or CAT scan).

Causes: Most of the time, high levels of uric acid occur when your kidneys do not remove uric acid properly. Factors that may contribute to this slowdown in the uric acid release include a poor diet, obesity, diabetes, taking certain vomiting medications (sometimes called water pills), and excessive alcohol consumption. Other common causes are foods high in purine content or your body producing too much uric acid. Factors that can cause high levels of uric acid in your blood include Diuretics (water retention drugs), excessive alcohol consumption, genetics (inheritance tendency), hypothyroidism, drugs that suppress the immune system, Niacin, or vitamin B-3, obesity, psoriasis, purine-rich foods - liver, game meat, anchovies, sardines, broth, dried beans and peas, mushrooms and other foods. Kidney failure (inability to filter waste) and tumor lysis syndrome. Also, you may be exposed to high levels of uric acid when treated with chemotherapy or radiation.

What is the Uric acid Blood Test? Your body is constantly moving, 24-7. Even while you are sleeping, your blood is flowing, your brain is burning, and your intestines are digesting that much of the night. Whenever you eat something, your body produces good substances, such as proteins and vitamins, and you excrete waste products. Generally, one of those contaminated products is uric acid. Build up when your body breaks down purines, which are found in other foods. Most uric acid comes out of your body when you urinate and some when you urinate. Uric acid tests are not performed as standard blood tests. However, if you have a health problem that may be caused by high levels of uric acid, it may be helpful to measure it. High uric acid levels can cause gout and you will need to try to reduce it. If you have symptoms of gout, you need a blood test for uric acid, which measures how much uric acid you have in your blood. You may also hear this test called a serum uric acid test, serum urate, or UA.

What is hyperuricemia? Hyperuricemia increases the level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid passes through the liver and enters your bloodstream. Most of it is excreted (excreted from your body) in your urine or passed through your gut to control "normal" levels. Typical Uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg / dL (female) and 3.4-7.0 mg / dL (male). Standard prices will vary from one laboratory to another. Also important in uric acid levels in the blood are purines. Purines are compounds that contain nitrogen, made inside your body cells (endogenous), or released from your body, from food containing purine (exogenous). Purine breaks down into uric acid. Excess levels of uric acid from many purines may accumulate in your muscles, forming crystals. This can cause high uric acid levels in the blood. The uric acid formation can occur when the level of uric acid in the blood rises above 7 mg / dL. Problems, such as kidney stones, and gout (the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, especially on your toes and fingers), are possible. What Causes Hyperuricemia? Causes of high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia) can be primary (increased uric acid levels due to purine), and secondary (high uric acid levels due to another disease or condition). Sometimes, the body produces more uric acid than it can excrete. Symptoms of hyperuricemia: If the level of uric acid in your blood is too high, and you are receiving chemotherapy for leukemia or lymphoma, you may have symptoms of kidney problems, or arthritis resulting from high uric acid in your blood. You may have a fever, chills, or fatigue if you have certain types of cancer, and your uric acid levels are elevated (caused by tumor lysis syndrome). You may notice swelling of the joint (called "gout") when uric acid crystals attach to one of your joints. You may have kidney problems (caused by kidney failure), or urinary problems. Things You Can Do With Hyperuricemia: Be sure to tell your doctor, as well as all health care providers, about any other medications you are taking (including retail stores, vitamins, or herbs). Remind your doctor or healthcare provider if you have a history of diabetes, liver, kidney, or heart disease. Follow the instructions of your healthcare provider about lowering uric acid levels in your blood and treating your hyperuricemia. If your blood pressure is too high, they may prescribe medication to lower uric acid levels safely. If you have high levels of uric acid in your blood, and your healthcare provider thinks you may be at risk for gout, or kidney stones, try eating a low purine diet. Foods high in purine include All body parts (such as liver), meat ingredients and broth, yeasts, and yeast extracts (such as beer, soft drinks), and asparagus, spinach, beans, peas, lentils, oatmeal, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Non-purine foods include Refined grains - bread, pasta, flour, tapioca, cakes, milk and dairy products, eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, green vegetables, cream soup without meat stock, water, fruit juice, carbonated beverages, peanut butter, fruit, and nuts. Keep plenty of water, and drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day, unless you are told otherwise. Take all your hyperuricemia medication as prescribed. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as this can contribute to problems with uric acid and hyperuricemia. Avoid medications, such as thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorotiazide), and loop diuretics (such as furosemide or Lasix®). Also, drugs such as niacin, and low doses of aspirin (less than 3 grams per day) can increase uric acid levels. Do not take this medicine or aspirin unless your healthcare provider knows what your condition is. If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if they are severe, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare team. They can provide medication and/or offer other effective suggestions for managing such problems.

CARE AND TREATMENT: How is the treatment of high urinary tract infections treated? If you suffer from gout, medications can be used to reduce inflammation, pain, and inflammation. You should drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Ice and elevation are helpful. Kidney stones may eventually leave the body in the urine. Drinking plenty of fluids is important. Try to drink at least 64 ounces a day (8 glasses for eight ounces apiece). Water is the best. Your doctor may also prescribe stones to help the stones pass through the muscles in the ureter, the passage of urine that you pass through from the kidneys to the bladder. If the stone is too large to pass through, blocking urine flow or causing infections, the stone may need to be surgically removed. Can high uric acid levels be controlled and prevented? High uric acid levels can be controlled and joint pain may be controlled and stopped by a long-term disease control program. Your doctor may prescribe medication that dissolves uric acid crystals. You may need a lifetime course of action to reduce urate deficiency, with medications that prevent the onset of gout and ultimately dissolve the crystals that are already in your body. Other ways to help control high uric acid levels include: Losing weight, if necessary, and eating a diet (limit your intake of fructose corn syrup, meat, red meat, fish, and alcoholic beverages).

When to see a doctor? Having high uric acid is not a disease or condition that needs treatment or search without any symptoms. But if you have gout or have some form of kidney stone, your doctor may check your uric acid levels. If you are concerned that one of your medications may be causing your high uric acid level, talk to your doctor. In the meantime, continue to take your medication unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Samina Zaheer (Health Tips, Health Care).