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Uric acid is a waste material that is detected in blood. It is formed when the body breaks down purines, which are chemicals. The majority of uric acid gets absorbed in the blood, travels through the kidneys, and excretes in the urine. Uric acid crystals can develop in the body as a result of high uric acid levels, resulting in gout. Some purine-rich foods and beverages can raise the amount of uric acid and can cause high amounts of uric acid in the body.
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Keyterms: Blood, kidney, urine, crystals, catabolism, liver, intestinal mucosa, heart, blood pressure
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Uric Acid Definition
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The final breakdown result of purine catabolism is uric acid. The majority of uric acid is produced by the liver and intestinal mucosa. The kidneys excrete two-thirds of the uric acid, while the GI tract excretes the remaining one-third.
Effects of High Uric Acid
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Hyperuricemia occurs when there is an excess of uric acid in the body. Hyperuricemia can result in the formation of uric acid (or urate) crystals. They can potentially produce kidney stones if they remain in the kidneys. High amounts of uric acid in the body and blood cells are to blame for a variety of illnesses and disorders. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, arthritis, gout, and other disorders fall under this category.
High uric acid levels, if left untreated, can cause irreversible bone, joint, and tissue damage, renal disease, and heart disease. High uric acid levels have also been linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease, according to research.
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Causes of Uric Acid
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A high uric acid level is usually caused by your kidneys' inability to remove uric acid properly. Rich meals, being overweight, having diabetes, taking some diuretics (also known as water pills), and drinking too much alcohol can all cause a slowdown in the elimination of uric acid. Other less prevalent reasons include a high purine-containing diet or your body creating excessive uric acid.
Factors Affecting Uric Acid
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Factors that causes uric acid are given below:
- Diuretics (water retention relievers).
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Genetics (inherited tendencies).
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
- Immunosuppressive medications.
- Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3.
- Obesity.
- Psoriasis.
- Purine-rich meals include liver, game meat, anchovies, sardines, gravy, dried beans and peas, mushrooms, and others.
- Insufficiency of the kidneys (inability of the kidneys to filter waste).
- Tumor lysis syndrome is characterized by the rapid release of cells into the bloodstream. as a result of some tumors or treatment for specific cancers)
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Symptoms of Uric Acid
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There is no definite test for high uric acid levels other than a blood test, although the symptoms indicated below suggest high uric acid levels. The symptoms differ from person to person, and an individual may or may not experience a blend of them. Few of the symptoms are mentioned below:
- Fatigue and energy deficiency
- Skin that is dry and chapped.
- Constipation.
- Swollen and painful joints caused by uric acid crystal build up around the joints.
- Muscle tenseness.
- Kidney malfunctions
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Muscles that are tender and achy.
- Pain in the joints and on the foot that is sudden and severe.
- Gout is among the most well-known signs of elevated uric acid. It is a kind of arthritis that produces acute inflammation in one of the joints. The formation of uric acid crystals that are pointy-like needles surrounding the joints causes gout discomfort in the joints.
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Diagnosis of Uric Acid
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High Uric Acid is often diagnosed based on your symptoms as well as the look of the afflicted joint. The following tests may be used to help diagnose gout:
- Joint fluid Test: A needle may be used by your doctor to drain fluid from your damaged joint. When the fluid is viewed under a microscope, ureate crystals may be detected.
- Blood Test: A blood test to determine the amounts of uric acid in your blood may be recommended by your doctor. However, blood test findings might be deceptive. Some people have high uric acid levels but do not have gout. And other patients have gout symptoms but no abnormal amounts of uric acid in their blood.
- X-ray imaging: Joint X-rays can assist to rule out other potential causes of joint inflammation.
- Ultrasound: Sound waves are used in this technique to identify urate crystals in joints or tophi.
- Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT): To see urate crystals in joints, this technique combines X-ray pictures acquired from several angles.
Treatment of Uric Acid
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Medication can be used to relieve inflammation, discomfort, and edoema during a gout attack. Drink lots of water, but avoid alcohol and sugary soft drinks. Ice and elevation are beneficial.
Kidney stones may finally travel through the body in the form of urine. It is critical to drink extra fluids. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day (8 glasses at eight ounces a piece). Water is the finest option.
The doctor may also recommend drugs that aid in the passage of stones by relaxing the muscles in the ureter, the duct via which urine travels from the kidney to the bladder. There are two kinds of gout drugs. The first kind aids in the reduction of inflammation and discomfort associated with gout episodes. The second kind works by reducing the quantity of uric acid in your blood, which helps to avoid gout problems.
The sort of medicine that is best for you is determined by the frequency and intensity of your symptoms, as well as any other health issues you may have. If the stone is too big to pass, obstructs the passage of urine, or creates an infection, it may be essential to remove it surgically.
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Prevention of Uric Acid
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With a long-term disease management approach, high uric acid levels may be managed, and outbursts in joint pain can be regulated and halted. Your doctor can prescribe drugs to dissolve uric acid crystal formations. A lifetime urate-lowering treatment, with drugs that prevent gout flares and eventually dissolve crystals that are present in your body, may be required.
Some ways to Control High levels of Uric Acid are:
- Weight loss, exercise, yoga, and a nutritious diet are among more methods for controlling excessive uric acid levels. Obesity is one of the causes of excessive uric acid levels in the body.
- Low-fat dairy product consumption.
- Avoiding alcoholic beverages, beer, and soft drinks.
- Drinking a lot of water and herbal teas. Tea is an excellent natural beverage that also aids in the correct functioning of the kidneys.
- Purine-rich foods should be avoided.
- Preventing dehydration.
- Sugar consumption is being reduced.
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Points to Remember
- Gout can be triggered by a sudden decline in uric acid levels and gouty arthritis, affecting around 20% of patients with hyperuricemia.
- The typical range of uric acid levels in the body for females is 2.4-6.0 mg/dL and 3.4-7.0 mg/dL for males. Anything beyond this level is classified as hyperuricemia.
- While uric acid is typically associated with protein-rich diets, current research suggests that sugar may also be a contributing factor.
- Table sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup are examples of added sugars to meals.
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Sample Questions
Ques: How does Purine affect Uric Acid? (2 marks)
Ans: One-third of the uric acid produced by your body is due to the decomposition of purines obtained from food and drink. Your body has a greater amount of uric acid if you consume a lot of purine-rich meals. Gout and kidney stones can be caused by an excess of uric acid. Following a Mediterranean diet was related with a decreased risk of acquiring elevated uric acid in one research including nearly 4,500 adults. This might be related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics of this diet.
Ques: Is it possible to get rid of uric acid? Is it beneficial to eat bananas while having uric acid? (3 marks)
Ans: Drinking water can help wash out the uric acid crystals that cause gout. A properly hydrated patient should consume enough fluids to pee every two to three hours.
Bananas are high in vitamin C and lower in purines, making them a recommended meal to take if you have gout. Increasing the number of low-purine foods in your diet, such as bananas, can lower the amount of uric acid in your blood and lessen your risk of recurring gout episodes.
Ques: What exactly is Tophaceous gout? (2 marks)
Ans: Uric acid crystals can develop clusters called tophi if you've had hyperuricemia for a long time. These hard lumps can be located under your skin, around your joints, and near the tip of your ear's curve. Tophi may aggravate joint discomfort and, in the long run, injure your joints or squeeze your nerves. They are frequently apparent to the naked eye and can be disfiguring.
Ques: Which veggies should you avoid if you have gout? (2 marks)
Ans: Consume lots of veggies like kailan, cabbage, squash, red bell pepper, and beetroot, but restrict your intake of plants with a moderate purine level like asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Consume vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, tangerines, papaya, and cherries.
Ques: Why is gout more painful at night? (2 marks)
Ans: The factor causing the higher risk of nocturnal gout flare is uncertain, but suspects include lower nighttime body temperature (which increases the risk of uric acid crystallization), dehydration during sleep or periarticular dehydration caused by sleep position, and a nighttime drop in blood cortisol levels.
Ques: Which workout is best for lowering uric acid levels? (2 marks)
Ans: Aside from walking, consider including other heart-pumping activities into your daily aerobic workout routine, such as swimming or riding a stationary bike. (Both of these are particularly effective solutions for gout sufferers since they relieve strain on the weight-bearing joints of the foot, ankles, and knees.)
Ques: How can one lower the Uric Acid in a limited period of time? (3 marks)
Ans: Purines are naturally occurring chemicals found in a variety of foods. Uric acid is produced by the body as it breaks down purines. The process of metabolizing purine-rich meals may result in gout by causing the body to create an excessive amount of uric acid. Some purine-rich foods are otherwise nutritious, therefore the objective should be to minimize purine consumption rather than eliminate it entirely.
According to a reliable source, coffee drinkers are less prone to acquire gout. For instance, consider a 2010 study. A reliable source of data from female Nurses' Health Study participants discovered that gout risk dropped as coffee drinking rose. Women who drank 1 to 3 cups of coffee per day had a 22% lower risk of gout relative to all those who drank no coffee. Women who drank more than four cups of coffee each day had a 57 percent lower chance of developing this illness.
Ques: What are the best fruits for Uric Acid? (2 marks)
Ans: Apples have a high nutritional fibre concentration, which aids in the reduction of uric acid levels. Fibre takes uric acid from the circulation and excretes it from the body. If you can only choose one food from this list, make it cherries. Cherries include anthocyanins, a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that lowers uric acid levels. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are high in vitamin C and citric acid. Since they easily drain out excess uric acid, these meals can help you maintain healthy uric acid levels in the body.
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