Reducing Uric Acid
Uric acid is a natural substance found in the body. It is produced when the body breaks down or digests foods that are high in purine (like mackerel, liver and sardines). The uric acid travels through the bloodstream to the kidneys where it is excreted as a waste product. Elevated levels of uric acid can occur as a result of diet or from an underlying condition or illness that impacts the body's ability to keep uric acid levels in check.
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How High Is Too High?
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The first step in reducing elevated uric acid levels is to determine how high your uric acid levels are. You doctor can test your blood for uric acid. Normal levels are between 3.9 and 7.0 milligrams of uric acid per deciliter. Levels above this are considered to be indicative of a condition called hyperuricemia. If your uric acid is elevated, it's important to understand why.
Reduce Uric Acid by Treating the Cause
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Diet is one factor that can influence uric acid levels. In order to reduce elevated uric acid, you should avoid purine-rich foods and/or certain medications. Liver, sardines, mackerel, alcohol and coffee are all high in purine. Taking certain medications, including aspirin and chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment, can also cause uric acid to spike. When possible, avoid taking these drugs; however, if the drugs are necessary for lifesaving treatment, you should take the medication as directed and treat the hyperuricemia with drug therapy. Certain diseases and conditions can also cause hyperuricemia. These conditions include gout, alcholism, leukemia, acidosis, renal (kidney) failure, diabetes, lead poisoning, hypoparathyroidism and toxic pregnancy. When possible, the underlying condition should be treated in order to resolve the hyperuricemia. If this is not possible, the hyperuricemia should be managed with drug therapy.
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Drug Therapy to Reduce Uric Acid
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If the underlying cause of the hyperuricemia can't be treated, the best course of action is to treat the elevated levels of uric acid with a drug therapy designed to adjust the way the body processes uric acid. Probenecid is the drug used most frequently to treat hyperuricemia. Probenecid blocks the body's absorption of urates and uric acid. Other drugs, including allopurinol and febuoxostat, inhibit the body's production of uric acid. These courses of action treat the symptom--the elevated uric acid--rather than the cause. Unless the underlying cause is resolved, however, you may need to remain on these drugs indefinitely in order to keep your uric acid levels low.
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