Uric acid is a waste product found in the blood. It is generated when the body breaks down purines we consume through our diet. Usually, uric acid dissolves in the blood and is eliminated by the kidneys during the blood filtration process. But if your kidney function is not accurate, it may result in too much uric acid in the blood. Foods and drinks that are purine-rich also produce uric acid, such as red meat or organs like the liver. Uric acid is also produced naturally in the body when certain cells in the body die and are taken apart.
If your body shows high uric acid signs, it means the kidney is not working well. Medically, it is called hyperuricemia. High uric acid effects on the kidneys cannot be undermined as during Hyperuricemia, uric acid may build as hard crystals which create an obstruction in the urine elimination process. Also, the hard crustal produce may locate them in the joints and cause gout. A gout is a form of arthritis that you can feel in your knees, wrists, feet, ankles, and big toe. Gout causes swelling and inflammation in those joints and may reduce your mobility.
A serum uric acid blood test measures how much uric acid is present in the blood. Note that, some portion of uric acid is also passed down when you pass stool.
Causes
There are multiple factors that correspond to high uric acid include;
Diuretics: The purpose of taking a diuretic is to allow the body to produce more urine but this subsequently reduces the amount of fluid in the body. The problem is that this fluid is concentrated which can increase the risk of uric acid crystal formation.
Drinking too much alcohol: Binge alcohol consumption may reduce your kidney’s tendency to eliminate the excess uric acid present in the blood.
Genetics: High uric acid is caused by a combination of innate and environmental factors.
Hypothyroidism: Thyroid hormone deficiency can cause an increase in serum uric acid.
Drugs: Certain drugs such as Immune-suppressing drugs and niacin, or vitamin B-3 can also trigger gout attacks.
Purine-rich diet: Certain foods or drinks such as liver meat, red meat, sardines, gravy, dried beans, peas, mushrooms, fish, seafood, bacon, and alcoholic beverages (all types) result in the uric acid buildup.
Renal insufficiency: When the kidney function is not accurate, it may not clearly eliminate all the acid body needs to flush down which results in the uric acid buildup.
Tumor lysis syndrome: It is a release of cancer-causing cells in the blood by chemotherapy.
Along with the causes, one should also know about the signs related to uric acid buildup in the blood.
- Symptoms of kidney problems, such as fever, chills, fatigue
- An inflammation of a joint
- Stones in your kidneys
- Reduced mobility due to uric acid buildup
When to see a doctor
High uric acid is not a disease in itself; in fact, an attack of gout may cause complex conditions such as kidney stones, etc. If you're on some medications or drugs that are causing high uric acid, talk with your doctor or if it is a kidney problem that resulted in increased uric acid, consult a nephrologist to get the Ayurvedic treatment.
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