Effects of High Uric Acid
Uric acid is a waste product from the metabolism of proteins. As proteins are metabolized, nitrogen is removed as a by-product. However, nitrogen is toxic to the body, so it is synthesized into uric acid and sent to the kidneys for filtration and excretion through the urine. High content of uric acid in the body, or hyperuremia, is a sign that kidneys are not functioning properly.
Other People Are Reading
-
Disease
-
Hyperuremia is associated with disease. It is mainly a warning sign that kidneys are not functioning and the patient may be developing chronic or acute renal failure. High uric acid content is also associated with gout attacks. Gout is a painful arthritic condition where toxicity focuses on joints. High uric acid conditions may also be a sign of heart disease.
Causes
-
There are several causes associated with high uric acid levels. The main two effects are the body's inability to filter the uric acid through the kidneys, or there is a high amount of protein metabolized, which creates excessive amounts of uric acid. Drugs that affect kidney function such as diuretics and blood thinners can create high levels of uric acid. The condition is also caused by diseases such as cancer or hypothyroidism.
-
Diagnosis
-
Diagnosis is conducted through blood and urine tests. High levels of uric acid may be found in both samples. Dialysis may be necessary if kidneys fail. Pain medication is given to gout patients to control the attacks, but changes in diet and lifestyle may be necessary to control the level of uric acid in the blood.
Medication
-
Medications are available to control the level of uric acid in the blood. There are two ways to control these levels. The first is to control the amount of uric acid production. Drugs such as Allopurinol limit the amount of uric acid produced, giving kidneys the time to heal. The second method of control is by improving the amount of uric acid excreted. Probenecid is a drug that assists the kidneys in ridding the body of uric acid content.
Diet
-
Lowering foods that contain purines help naturally lower the amount of uric acid production. Avoiding foods such as alcohol or red meat are beneficial. Eating complex carbohydrates rather than proteins are better for hyperuremia patients. It's also beneficial to exercise and keep metabolic processes working to avoid the accumulation of uric acid.
-
